BUCHAREST: Roma­nian prosecutors on Tuesday charged US-British social media influencer Andrew Tate, who has gained millions of fans by promoting an ultra-masculine lifestyle, with human trafficking, rape and forming a gang to sexually exploit women.

Tate was indicted with his brother Tristan and two Romanian female suspects. They are under house arrest pending an investigation into abuses against seven women whom prosecutors say were lured through false claims of relationships.

The suspects have denied the accusations.

The Tate brothers, both former kickboxers, are the highest-profile suspects facing trial for human trafficking in Romania.

Andrew Tate, a self-described misogynist, has grown his following of mainly young men by building a lavish, hyper-macho image of driving fast cars and dating beautiful women.

The four suspects were held in police custody from Dec 29 until March 31 before a Bucharest court put them under house arrest, which prosecutors on Tuesday sought to extend.

A judge will decide on Wednesday whether to prolong the detention for 30 days or replace it with a lighter measure.

Andrew Tate, 36, has also been charged with raping one of the victims, while Tristan, 34, has been charged with instigating others to violence, according to prosecutors.

“We embrace the opportunity (a trial) presents to demonstrate their innocence and vindicate their reputation,” a spokesperson for the Tates’ legal team said.

The trial will not start immediately.

Under Romanian law, the case gets sent to the Bucharest court’s preliminary chamber, where a judge has 60 days to inspect the case files to ensure legality.

Trafficking of adults carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years, as does rape.

Prosecutors also said they were investigating the four suspects in a separate ongoing case on allegations of money laundering, witness tampering, and child and adult trafficking.

The indictment also sought the confiscation of property, luxury watches, cash and cryptocurrency seized by prosecutors during the investigation.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2023