Andrew Tate Denounces New Charges Following Raid on Romanian Home

 

Andrew Tate, the controversial social media personality, has vehemently denied fresh allegations of human trafficking and sexual exploitation following a raid on his home in Romania earlier this week. Romanian authorities, including the anti-organized crime agency DIICOT, detained six individuals as part of an investigation involving 35 victims, one of whom was reportedly 15 years old at the time.

DIICOT's statement detailed the charges, which include human trafficking, trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor, influencing statements, and money laundering. However, the agency did not specify which charges were directed at each of the detained individuals.

As he exited the courtroom, Tate passionately dismissed the accusations against him, describing the case as a "stitch-up" and labeling the allegations as false. "This is a set-up. It is absolutely disgusting," Tate said, as reported by the BBC. He further claimed that "thirty of those girls say we have done nothing wrong. Two are the mothers of our children." However, when pressed by a BBC reporter about the allegations of sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl, Tate declined to respond.

Tate's spokesperson, Mateea Petrescu, acknowledged the recent raids on his Bucharest residence but stated that the charges outlined in the search warrant, which include suspicions of human trafficking and money laundering, were not yet fully clear. Petrescu did not address the specific allegations involving minors.

This is not the first time the Tate brothers have faced serious accusations. They are already awaiting trial in Romania on separate charges of rape and human trafficking. The brothers, who were released from house arrest a year ago with instructions not to leave the country, have consistently denied all charges.

The latest charges involve new allegations that the brothers groomed vulnerable individuals and coerced them into creating explicit online content in various locations. As the brothers were taken into police custody on Wednesday night, Tate described the prosecutors' case as "desperate." He criticized the new charges, saying, "This file is even more stupid than the first one. Wait till you see. They say I have lover-boyed the mother of my children. And we’ve tricked them into having kids. Unbelievable."

The "loverboy" method, referenced by Tate, is a tactic used by human traffickers to manipulate victims by establishing a romantic relationship with them before coercing them into exploitation, such as forced prostitution, under the pretense of love or a future together.

Andrew Tate, 36, and his brother Tristan, 37, have gained a significant following on social media platforms, often promoting extreme misogynistic views. Despite the serious nature of the charges against them, the brothers have consistently maintained their innocence, with Andrew Tate asserting that the case is part of a broader conspiracy to silence him. A trial date has not yet been set.