Andrew Tate and brother in court on human trafficking charges

Controversial influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have appeared in a Romanian court after being charged with allegations of human trafficking and forming an organized crime group.

Along with these accusations, Andrew Tate36, is also accused of raping one of the victims, while his brother was accused of inciting violence.

The Tate brothers are accused of luring seven women into sexual exploitation based on false promises of a relationship or marriage – a technique authorities have called the “loverboy method.”

They are accused alongside two Romanian women accused of being part of an alleged organized crime group.

It is alleged that all four formed the group in 2021 to commit human trafficking in Romania and other countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.

Speaking outside court after his appearance, Andrew Tate thanked his supporters “around the world”, adding that he loved Romania.

“I love this country, I'm going to stay here no matter what, and I look forward to being proven innocent at the end of all this,” he added.

The former professional kickboxer has repeatedly claimed that Romanian prosecutors have no evidence and claimed the case was a political conspiracy aimed at silencing him.

A spokesperson for the brothers said Tuesday that they were “taking the opportunity presented by a trial to demonstrate their innocence and defend their reputation.”

The brothers were first arrested at a property in Bucharest in December last year and held until March, when they were released and placed under house arrest.

The court will meet again on Friday to make a decision on their house arrest.

Andrew Tate, based mainly in Romania since 2017, is an online influencer who has amassed millions of followers, particularly among young men.