Romanian prosecutors have officially indicted social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate on a range of human trafficking and sex offenses.
The Romanian Directorate for Investigating Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) accuses the brothers of making more than $1.2 million by coercing a 15-year-old girl to perform sex acts on video chats. Andrew, 39, faces charges of trafficking minors, money laundering, and having sex with a minor. His brother Tristan, 38, is charged with complicity in trafficking minors and money laundering.
The brothers, former kickboxers with dual US and British citizenship, have been under criminal investigation in Romania since December 2022. They built a massive online following, largely among young men, by promoting a hyper-masculine, luxury lifestyle.
Prosecutors allege Andrew recruited the vulnerable teenager, housed her in a building in Luton, England, and later moved her to Romania to continue the exploitation. They claim he used surveillance and physical aggression to control her, while Tristan acted as an accessory to the abuse.
The Tates are currently held in a Miami jail, fighting extradition to the UK over separate charges. They have consistently denied all allegations, arguing that their controversial online personas do not reflect their real lives.
Their Romanian lawyer, Eugen Constantin Vidineac, pushed back firmly against the new filing. “Today’s decision by DIICOT does not determine guilt, and it should not be presented as though it does,” he said.
SEE ALSO: Andrew Tate’s Lawyers Say His Billionaire Lifestyle Was Mostly Fake
He pointed out that a previous indictment in 2024 was sent back by an appeals court due to significant irregularities and inadmissible evidence. “Our clients continue to reject the allegations against them. They have the right to the presumption of innocence and the right to mount an effective defence.”
Alongside the criminal charges, prosecutors have requested the confiscation of four luxury cars, worth an estimated £710,000, alleging the vehicles were bought with laundered money.
Before any trial can begin, a judge must examine this new indictment to ensure it meets legal standards. For now, the brothers remain in US custody, facing a long and complex legal battle that will test whether their wealth and fame can shield them from the courts.
Promise Idoko is Junior Reporter working with moderncrux He covers global politics and international affairs. Based in Nigeria,
