Romanian prosecutors have revealed that they have escalated the charge against social media influencer Andrew Tate from human trafficking to a more severe offense.
Alongside his brother Tristan and two other individuals, Tate is now being investigated for human trafficking in continued form, a crime considered more serious than the initial counts of trafficking. The accusations include human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, all of which the suspects have denied.
Under Romanian law, the four suspects have been charged by prosecutors, but the case is still under investigation and awaits trial. It is expected that prosecutors will proceed to commit them for trial later in June. Tate, a British-US citizen with 6.8 million Twitter followers, and the other suspects were held in police custody from December 29, 2022, until March 31, 2023, when they were placed under house arrest by a Bucharest court.
The prosecution unit of Romania’s Directorate for investigating organized crime and terrorism (DIICOT) informed the Tate brothers that the charge had been changed to trafficking in continued form, according to a spokesperson from DIICOT. In Romania, the trafficking of adults carries a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years. Additionally, one more victim has been added to the case, initially involving six women.
A separate criminal investigation has been opened against a Romanian man associated with the Tate brothers. Vlad Obuzic, along with two other suspects, is accused of human trafficking and forming a criminal group to sexually exploit seven women. Allegedly, the victims were lured into relationships or marriage by the suspects, who then coerced them into producing pornographic content for social media platforms while profiting from their exploitation.
In response to the changes in the Andrew Tate human trafficking charges, the Tate brothers’ legal team stated that they were in the suspects’ legal interest and aimed to ensure an impartial investigation.
To shed light on the severity of human trafficking and seek justice for victims, individuals are encouraged to contact the Women’s Rights Group for legal assistance. We can help victims file lawsuits and pursue monetary compensation from professionals and commercial establishments that turn a blind eye to human trafficking. Consultation is free and confidential. Talk to us today.
