Romanian authorities indict Andrew and Tristan Tate in absentia on human trafficking and sex offense charges

Romanian authorities have indicted social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate in absentia on charges including human trafficking, sex offenses involving minors, money laundering and witness tampering. The brothers have been held in a US jail since mid-July while fighting a separate British extradition request.

Both have strongly denied wrongdoing.

Andrew Tate, a former professional kickboxer and dual British-US citizen, built a global following promoting wealth, hyper-masculinity and traditional gender roles. His online content has attracted millions of followers while drawing widespread criticism over remarks about women.

Romania’s Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) announced on Friday that Andrew had been charged with human trafficking, having sex with a minor, money laundering and influencing witnesses. Tristan is accused of aiding and abetting him.

Prosecutors allege that in 2012 Andrew recruited a 15-year-old girl in the UK by falsely claiming he wanted a romantic relationship with her before taking her to Romania. She was then allegedly forced to produce pornographic content for a webcam business, with the brothers controlling her through threats, emotional blackmail and physical violence.

Tristan allegedly managed proceeds from the operation totaling around $1.25 million. DIICOT is seeking the confiscation of four luxury cars allegedly bought with the money and registered in the names of associates.

Prosecutors have separately accused Andrew of having sex with another 15-year-old girl.

The case has been referred to the Bucharest Tribunal, where preliminary proceedings are expected to take at least two months.

Eugen Vidineac, the brothers’ Romanian lawyer, said the defense would challenge the indictment. Andrew and Tristan, who moved to Romania in 2016, were arrested there in December 2022 in a separate case involving similar allegations. An appeals court later returned that case to prosecutors after finding some evidence inadmissible. The charges were not dismissed, but travel restrictions were lifted in February 2025, allowing the brothers to fly to Florida.

In July, Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service announced additional charges against the Tates, bringing the British case to seven alleged victims and 59 charges combined, including rape, sexual assault and trafficking-related offenses.

The brothers were subsequently arrested in Florida following a British extradition request.

Their lawyer, Joseph McBride, has said Andrew and Tristan will vigorously fight extradition, describing the British case as politically motivated because his clients have repeatedly criticized the UK authorities and political establishment.