BUCHAREST — Romanian prosecutors indicted Andrew Tate on charges of trafficking minors, sex with a minor, and money laundering. Romanian prosecutors also indicted Tristan Tate on charges of complicity in the case.

The indictment was issued by DIICOT, the Romanian anti-crime and anti-terrorism agency. Prosecutors added charges of witness tampering to the indictment against Andrew Tate. The allegations cover a period spanning 12 years, from 2012 to 2024.

DIICOT alleged that in 2012 the brothers recruited a 15-year-old girl in Luton, England. Investigators stated the brothers coerced a victim by pretending to be in a loving relationship and forcing her to produce pornographic material for an online webcam business. Andrew Tate is accused of moving a victim to Romania to carry on exploiting her in two of his homes.

DIICOT investigators allege Andrew Tate controlled a victim through surveillance and physical aggression. The agency alleged that one victim was subjected to physical violence and psychological intimidation to force her into producing indecent images. DIICOT also alleged that Tristan Tate used physical aggression to coerce a victim.

DIICOT alleged that Andrew Tate repeatedly had sexual intercourse and sexual acts with another minor victim aged 15 between December 2020 and mid-2021. The agency also alleged that victims were paid or intimidated to influence them not to give statements or to give false statements.

Regarding financial crimes, DIICOT alleged that between December 2023 and July 2024 the Tates attempted to hide the illicit origin of money by purchasing four luxury cars worth about 825,000 euros ($957,000). DIICOT requested that the four luxury vehicles be confiscated.

Andrew Tate is 39 years old, and Tristan Tate is 38 years old. Both men are former kickboxers and hold dual U.S. and British citizenship. The Tate brothers have been mainly based in Romania since 2017.

Andrew Tate relocated to Romania approximately five years before December 2022. Andrew Tate stated in online videos that he relocated to Romania because law enforcement there was more lax.

The legal proceedings have faced previous setbacks. Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate were first arrested in Bucharest in late 2022. The Tate brothers were formally indicted in Romania in 2023.

An appeals court in Bucharest sent the previous indictment back to prosecutors in 2024 after deeming some evidence inadmissible. A court returned the 2023 case to DIICOT in 2024 due to legal and procedural irregularities. During those proceedings, Romanian officials allowed the Tate brothers to remain free with restrictions, including reporting to a Bucharest police station, while proceedings were ongoing.

Both Tate brothers have denied the allegations against them. Andrew Tate claimed there is a political conspiracy to silence him and his brother. The defendants claim political persecution.

The brothers face parallel legal challenges in the United States. The Tate brothers were arrested in Miami in late July after the United Kingdom requested their extradition on sex crimes allegations. The Tate brothers took the witness stand in federal court and argued they cannot adequately defend themselves if held in a Miami jail while fighting extradition to the U.K. The Tate brothers' lawyers argued that the U.K.'s extradition request was improper because their criminal case in Romania takes precedence.

The current indictment is bound for a preliminary court chamber for a judge’s review. Romanian law permits the prosecution of defendants in absentia. Romanian law states that a preliminary chamber judge has 60 days to finalize the advancement of an indictment.

What's New

Further details show that DIICOT added charges of witness tampering to the indictment against Andrew Tate. DIICOT alleged that Tristan Tate used physical aggression to coerce a victim. DIICOT alleged that the brothers kept $1.25 million from the video chat income generated by one victim, representing roughly 80 percent of her earnings.

Why It Matters

The indictment involves multiple charges including human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and money laundering, affecting victims across international borders. The case shows the jurisdictional complexities when defendants hold dual citizenship and face simultaneous legal actions in different countries, such as the ongoing Romanian proceedings and the U.K. extradition request handled in U.S. courts.

The legal process follows a specific timeline under Romanian law, where the preliminary chamber judge has 60 days to review the indictment. This step determines whether the case advances to trial, even as the defendants argue that the Romanian case should take precedence over extradition efforts. The outcome will depend on how U.S. and Romanian courts resolve these conflicting legal demands.