A highly controversial social media influencer and his brother meet the legal criteria to stand trial in a foreign country on charges that include human trafficking and rape.
A Romanian court in Bucharest issued the ruling earlier Friday, setting the trial of Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan in motion.
Romanian authorities arrested Andrew, 37, and Tristan, 35, in December 2022 over allegations of rape, human trafficking and forming a criminal enterprise, charges the brothers vehemently deny.
The Bucharest Tribunal has yet to set a trial date. Romanian prosecutors continue to review evidence against the brothers who’ve become enormously popular with young, single men and boys.
The BBC continues:
The case had been discussed for months in a process before a preliminary chamber where the accused could challenge the evidence of the prosecutors.
On Friday, the court in Bucharest said the case met the legal criteria and would proceed.
The brothers’ lead counsel, Eugen Vidineac, said the ruling “lacks legal basis and reasoning.”
“We have filed a strong appeal as we believe the ruling to be unlawful,” he added.
The Romanian Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism initially arrested after unintentionally revealing his whereabouts in a social media feud with far-left activist Greta Thunberg.
Romanian authorities allege Tate, and his brother Tristian, are part of an organized crime ring involved in the sex trafficking of women and rape. At least six women were allegedly held captive by the men and forced to perform pornography for their financial benefit.
Tate had been under investigation for some time but had evaded detention.
His social media spat gave law enforcement in Romania everything they needed to find him.
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Patrick Houck is an avid political enthusiast based out of the Washington, D.C., metro area. His expertise is in campaigns and the use of targeted messaging to persuade voters. When not combing through the latest news, you can find him enjoying the company of family and friends or pursuing his love of photography.
