Trigger warning: sexual assault
Andrew Tate, an online personality known for making misogynistic comments, has been charged with rape and human trafficking in Romania.
His brother Tristan Tate and two Romanian women have also been charged with human trafficking.
The group is accused of forming an organised crime group to sexually exploit women.
The Tate brothers were arrested in December and are currently under house arrest. This is the first time they have been formally charged. They deny all charges.
What is Andrew Tate charged with?
Romanian prosecutors allege the Tate brothers ‘recruited’ at least seven women to join them by “misleading them about the intention to establish a marriage… and the existence of real feelings of love”.
The women were then allegedly transported to Romania where they were subjected to “physical violence and mental coercion” including “constant” surveillance, and forced to film pornographic content.
Andrew Tate is also accused of using “physical violence and mental pressure” to rape one of the women.
Andrew Tate’s response
In a statement, the Tate brothers’ media team called the charges “predictable” but presented a chance to “demonstrate their innocence and vindicate their reputation”.
Under Romanian court procedures, a judge will now have 60 days to review the case files before allowing a trial to proceed.
If convicted, the Tate brothers could face over a decade in jail.
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