The human trafficking case filed against disputed persons Andrew and Tristan Tate cannot proceed with the trial as it stands, a Romanian court has ruled.
On Thursday, the Court of Appeal in Bucharest agreed to the brothers’ challenge, returning the case to prosecutors for further consideration.
This is the second time the court has returned the case to the prosecutors, who have five days to amend the indictment or withdraw the charges.
The Tate brothers, aged 38 and 36, are accused of human trafficking and setting up an organized group to sexually exploit women. They strongly denied the charges.
In November, the same court found “irregularities” in their case, requiring the prosecutors to amend their report.
At that time, the court also removed a lot of evidence, finding that some of the statements of the accused as victims were inadmissible.
The brothers’ victory on Thursday marked another setback for prosecutors.
They have accused two UK-US nationals of exploiting women through an adult business that allegedly operated as a criminal enterprise.
Two female accomplices from Romania were also named in the indictments published in June last year, which identified seven suspects as alleged victims.
Andrew Tate is a self-described misogynist and was banned from social media for expressing such views.
The former kickboxer has gained millions of fans online, where he often mixes political messages with flaunting a glamorous lifestyle.
He has lived in Romania for several years after settling in the UK.
After the decision in his favor on Thursday, he issued a statement saying: “They had years to build their case – years of ruining my life, targeting everyone I know, even calling the mother of my child. However, they leave empty-handed.”
He added: “These are all lies, and I will fight to the end to expose them and prove my innocence.”
His brother Tristan said: “If there is not enough evidence for a trial after all these years, then there is not enough evidence.”
Romania’s public prosecutor’s office, known as DIICOT, has yet to comment on the decision.
In August, it said it had opened a second criminal investigation against the Tate brothers over new allegations of child trafficking, sex with a minor and money laundering.
That same month, Andrew Tate was placed under house arrest by a Romanian judge, while his brother was placed under special control.
UK police are also seeking the extradition of the Tate brothers in relation to allegations of rape and human trafficking. The Tate brothers deny the allegations.
They were also accused of tax evasion in the UK. On Wednesday, a British court ruled that police could seize more than £2m from the Tate brothers for failing to pay tax on £21m of income from their online businesses.
Source link
