Romanian authorities are investigating, among other things, accusations of human trafficking, particularly involving minors.
In Romania, police have conducted a new search at the home of influencer Andrew Tate, who remains awaiting trial. The man faces charges of human trafficking and rape, among other things.
Romania’s anti-organized crime office, DIICOT, said it raided four homes in Bucharest and neighboring Ilfov counties early Wednesday.
The investigation involves charges of human trafficking, trafficking of minors, sexual relations with a minor, bribery and money laundering. Hearings are scheduled for soon.
Mr. Tate’s spokeswoman, Mateea Petrescu, said that “while the charges in the search warrant are not yet fully clarified, they include suspicions of human trafficking and money laundering.” She added that his legal team was present. Petrescu did not address the allegations of sexual activity with minors.
Dozens of police officers and forensic scientists searched Tate’s property, located on the outskirts of the capital Bucharest.
“Throughout the criminal proceedings, persons under investigation benefit from the rights and guarantees provided for by the Code of Criminal Procedure, as well as the presumption of innocence,” DIICOT said in its press release.
Andrew Tate, 37, and his brother Tristan, 36, both former kickboxers and dual British-American nationals, have millions of followers on social media. They were arrested in 2022 near Bucharest along with two Romanian women.
Romanian prosecutors formally charged the four individuals last year.
In April, the Bucharest court ruled that a trial could begin, but did not set a date.
The decision came after the case was examined for several months by the pre-trial chamber, a procedure during which defendants can challenge the evidence and the prosecution’s case.
After the Tate brothers were arrested in 2022, they were held in police custody for three months before being placed under house arrest.
Andrew Tate, known for his misogynistic views spread online, has 9.9 million subscribers on X, and denies the facts of which he is accused.
He has already been banned from several social networks due to his misogynistic views and incitement to hatred.
In March, the Tate brothers were due to appear before the Bucharest Court of Appeal in a separate case involving sexual assault charges, for acts committed between 2012 and 2015. The Romanian courts have given their approval to proceed with their extradition to the United Kingdom, but only once the legal proceedings in Romania have been completed, which could take several years.