Andrew Tate indicted on human trafficking, rape charges in Romania
- Andrew Tate, the controversial online influencer is charged with his brother and 2 others for forming a criminal group and commit human trafficking
Influencer Andrew Tate was indicted in Romania on Tuesday on human trafficking and rape charges. The controversial online influencer is charged with his brother, Tristan, and two Romanian women after an investigation stretching up to six months, the news agency AFP reported.
The anti-organized crime prosecution's unit (DIICOT) "ordered the indictment" of the four accused. The offenses against the accused included “setting up an organized criminal group... trafficking in persons... rape.” The brothers were arrested in December 2022 from their Bucharest residence and were later moved to house arrest after a favorable judgment from a court in Romania.
The four are accused of forming a criminal group in 2021 and committing human trafficking in countries like Romania, the UK, and the US, the news platform BBC reported on Tuesday. The indictment also included the names of seven alleged victims of the crime after they were enticed by Andrew Tate and his brother.
The indictment is just the first step as the trial may take years to conclude. The procedure dictates that now a Romanian judge has 60 days to go through the files of indictment and then it can be sent to the trial.
"We embrace the opportunity it presents to demonstrate their innocence," a spokesperson of Andrew Tate said, as per the Reuters report.
‘Hyper-masculine, ultra-luxurious lifestyle
Andrew Tate gained popularity on social media platforms as he flaunted his big muscle, cigars, and fast cars. He particularly became popular among young men as he showcased hyper-masculine behavior, often crossing the line of misogyny.
In 2022, the name "Andrew Tate" garnered significant attention as one of the most frequently searched terms on Google. However, despite his significant impact on young men in English-speaking countries and beyond, it was only in recent months that many adults became aware of his presence.
Andrew Tate gained widespread visibility in December when he initiated an unconventional Twitter assault on Greta Thunberg, a prominent climate change activist. This incident propelled him into the spotlight and brought him considerable notoriety.
Previously, his account was also suspended by Twitter as he said that women must "bear some responsibility" for being sexually assaulted. The account was reinstated later, as per the reports.
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First Published:20 Jun 2023, 05:05 PM IST
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