Romanian authorities carried out a series of raids at the home of internet influencer Andrew Tate, who is facing trial on allegations of human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women. The raids, which took place at the offices of the National Anti-Organized Crime Agency, or DIICOT, involved several dozen police officers and forensic personnel who were scouring Tate’s large property on the outskirts of the capital city Bucharest.
Tate, 37, and his brother Tristan, 36, both former kickboxers and dual British-US citizens, were arrested in 2022 along with two Romanian women. Romanian prosecutors formally indicted all four last year, alleging that they had been involved in a human trafficking ring that recruited and exploited women for sexual purposes. The Tate brothers have denied the allegations, claiming that the case is progressing too slowly and that there is no evidence against them.
The raids were reportedly conducted as part of an investigation into allegations of human trafficking, the trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor, influencing statements, and money laundering. A spokesperson for DIICOT said that the agency is searching four homes in Bucharest and nearby Ilfov county, adding that hearings will later be held at its headquarters.
Tate’s legal team has maintained that the charges against him are unfounded and that the case is a political conspiracy to silence him. Andrew Tate has repeatedly expressed misogynistic views online, but his team has not addressed the allegations involving minors. Tristan Tate, his brother, has also denied the allegations, claiming that the case is a mistake and that they will be cleared of all charges.
Andrew Tate (Image via Getty)
The Romanian authorities have been under pressure to expedite the trial, following criticism that the case has been dragged out for too long. A court previously ruled that the prosecutors’ case file against the four met the legal criteria, but did not set a date for the trial to begin. The Tate brothers have been detained for 24 hours, which is the maximum the authorities can hold them without a judge approving a request by prosecutors for a longer period.
Andrew Tate has been known for expressing controversial views online, and has been banned from several social media platforms for alleged hate speech and harassment. He has also been accused of promoting anti-feminist and homophobic views. In March, the Tate brothers appeared at the Bucharest Court of Appeal in a separate case, following British authorities issuing arrest warrants over allegations of sexual aggression in a UK case dating back to 2012-2015.
As the investigation continues, the authorities appear to be building a strong case against the Tate brothers, with sources indicating that they have gathered significant evidence linking them to the alleged human trafficking ring. The Romanian authorities are determined to bring the perpetrators to justice, and the situation will be closely monitored in the coming weeks and months.
