Court Decision and Appeal
A court in Bucharest, Romania, has given the green light for a trial to begin in the case of influencer Andrew Tate, who faces charges of human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal gang to exploit women sexually. The Bucharest Tribunal deemed prosecutors’ case file against Tate admissible, although a trial date has not yet been set. Tate’s spokesperson, Mateea Petrescu, confirmed that the ruling has been appealed.
Legal Challenges and Defense
Defending his innocence, Tate, 37, along with his brother Tristan Tate and two Romanian women, has consistently denied the accusations. Their legal team, including lawyer Eugen Vidineac, criticized the court’s decision, asserting that it lacked legal basis. Vidineac stated firmly, “We have filed a strong appeal as we believe the ruling to be unlawful.”
Background and Restrictions
Andrew Tate, known for his presence on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), has faced previous bans due to controversial statements. Despite claiming innocence and questioning the evidence against him, Tate, a dual British-U.S. citizen, remains subject to geographical restrictions, preventing him from leaving Romania. Previously held in detention and subsequently under house arrest, the Tate brothers now have limited mobility within Romania.
Extradition and Pending Legal Proceedings
Moreover, the Tate brothers faced legal challenges in the U.K., where extradition requests were issued over allegations of sexual aggression dating back to 2012-2015. While British authorities obtained approval for extradition, the transfer will only occur after the Romanian legal process concludes.