Influencer Andrew Tate will be tried in Romania for rape, human trafficking and criminal conspiracy. Tate has dual British and US citizenship, but has lived in Romania for several years. He is a former kickboxing world champion and an influencer who became famous online for videos in which he exposes misogynistic, racist, homophobic and incitement to violence topics.
Together with Tate, his brother Tristan and two other Romanian collaborators were sent to trial for the same crimes. His brother was arrested with him in December 2022 on charges of rape, human trafficking and criminal conspiracy. Although the two had already been indicted in June 2023, the Bucharest court had not yet decided to start the trial, and had taken time to analyze all the charges against them: finally on Friday it ruled that the trial can begin.
After a few months in prison starting this summer, the Tates were placed under house arrest, and were then released but with some limitations: for example, they had to report to the police if summoned, and communicate any change of residence, and they could not get in touch with people and witnesses involved in the investigation.
On 11 March they were arrested again in Romania on an international arrest warrant issued by the United Kingdom, on charges of sexual assault relating to incidents dating back to the period between 2012 and 2015. The Bucharest Court of Appeal ruled that they can be extradited to the UK, but only after the conclusion of the other trial they face in Romania.
The two are currently free and continue to deny responsibility for all the crimes they are accused of.
