Influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have returned from the United States to Romania, where they are accused of human trafficking. Andrew Tate, 38, told reporters on 22 March that he and Tristan, 36, had returned to Romania to “clear their names and exonerate themselves.”
“We have come to prove our innocence because we deserve our day in court,” the elder Tate told reporters outside his home in the town of Voluntari near Bucharest.
Both brothers, who hold British and American passports, face charges in Romania that include human trafficking and forming an organised crime group. Andrew Tate is also accused of rape.
According to prosecutors, the brothers recruited several women and forced them to produce pornographic content. Both vigorously deny the charges.
Despite the Tates being under “judicial control,” which means they must regularly report to authorities, in February Romania lifted a travel ban that had prevented them from leaving the country. On 27 February, the brothers travelled to Florida.
Now, on their return to Romania, they have been summoned to the police station in Voluntar on 24 March – an obligation they must fulfil under judicial review procedures.
In December, Romania’s Court of Appeal ruled that the human trafficking case against the Tates could not proceed to trial due to a number of legal and procedural irregularities on the part of the prosecutor’s office. The case has since returned to the prosecutor’s office and remains open.
A UK investigation is also open against the brothers. London is seeking the Tate’s extradition on rape and human trafficking charges. Andrew is also facing a civil lawsuit from four British women alleging sexual assault. Both men deny all allegations against them.