THE Tate brothers are being investigated amid claims a 17-year-old girl was trafficked to Britain and forced to “perform sexual acts in order to produce pornographic material”.
The Romanian Directorate for the Investigation of Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) on Thursday announced one of the alleged victims, 17, was “misled” and housed in several locations across both Romania and the UK.
ReutersTate was arrested again on Wednesday night[/caption]
APRomanian cops seen raiding properties on Wednesday[/caption]
The brothers have denied all allegations levelled against them since an initial arrest in 2022AP
Andrew was forced into a police van as cops launched a fresh probeAFP
It’s alleged she was forced to perform sexual acts, before pornographic material was sent out on various websites.
Romanian cops also allege a defendant had “sexual relations” with a 15-year-old from December 2020.
Two defendants are accused by prosecutors of buying luxury cars “in the names of close people” to hide how they were making profits from human trafficking, authorities say.
They allegedly used the “loverboy” method, getting girls to become infatuated with them before then recruiting them and moving them around different houses to make porn.
It would then be broadcast on multiple platform with viewers paying a fee, it’s alleged.
The Romanian authorities say there are a total of 34 alleged victims who were all in an “obvious state of vulnerability”.
Prosecutors claim the defendants profited $2.8million (£2.1million) “from the sexual exploitation of the victims”.
Since initially being arrested in December 2022, the Tate brothers have vehemently denied all allegations levelled against them.
Andrew believes they are being targeted by “The Matrix” – what he describes as an establishment that punishes those who step out of line.
The brothers were arrested on Wednesday night after Romanian cops searched four properties across the country.
They are legally allowed to detain them for 24 hours – but need a sign off from a judge, called a preventative arrest, to keep them in cuffs for any longer.
If a judge allows a preventative arrest it means they can be kept for a further 30 days.
The DIICOT statement said: “As a result of the home searches, the sums of approximately 26,000 euros, 81,000 lei, 5,800 GBP and 6,400 USD, two luxury watches, laptops, data storage units, documents and other evidence were identified and seized.
“An insurance seizure was instituted on 16 cars and a motorcycle, all from the luxury category.”
Andrew, the best-known brother, is a former kick-boxer who shot to fame projecting an ultra-masculine persona to social media.
The self-proclaimed misogynist, 37, is a divisive figure who infamously said that women should “bear responsibility” for being sexually assaulted.
He was banned on multiple social media platforms but recently made a comeback on X, where he has nearly 10million followers.
Andrew told reporters prosecutors were “desperate” as he was forced into a police van Wednesday night.
A Bucharest court recently banned the brothers from leaving Romania while they await a trafficking trial.
That overturned a previous decision in July which allowed them to travel within the EU.
A date for the trial is yet to be set.
The dual British-US citizens, raised in Luton, are also wanted in the UK after four women accused them of rape and sexual assault.
The Bucharest appeals court has granted a British request to extradite them back to the UK after legal proceedings in Romania wind up.
Tate arrest timeline
ANDREW and Tristan Tate were arrested in December 2022 and later charged with human trafficking, rape, and forming an organised crime group to sexually exploit women.
Here is a timeline of everything that’s happened since they were nicked:
DECEMBER 29, 2022: The brothers are detained in Romania for 30 days, along with two women, on suspicion of human trafficking, rape, and forming an organised crime group.
JANUARY 3, 2023: Romanian authorities seize Andrew’s luxury car collection.
JAN 8, 2023: A cryptic tweet is posted to Andrew Tate’s account which reads: “The Matrix has attacked me. But they misunderstand, you cannot kill an idea. Hard to Kill.”
JAN 10, 2023: Andrew appears in court in Bucharest to appeal his detention but the judge rules against him.
MARCH 31, 2023: The Bucharest Court of Appeal rules against a judge’s decision to extend Andrew’s incarceration for a fourth time; Andrew is placed on house arrest.
JUNE 20, 2023: The brothers are formally charged with human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women.
JULY 13, 2023: The Tates launch a $5million lawsuit against a Florida woman who they say falsely accused them of imprisoning her in Romania – which led to their arrest there on human trafficking charges.
AUGUST 4, 2023: Andrew wins an appeal to be released from house arrest in Romania as he awaits trial on charges of human trafficking.
DECEMBER 11, 2023: A judge denies the Tate brothers’ appeals to have £10million worth of assets returned to them.
JANUARY 8, 2024: The Bucharest Court of Appeal overturns the decision; the brothers are to have their assets returned to them.
MARCH 12, 2024: Both brothers are arrested in Romania over allegations of sexual aggression in the UK that date back to 2012 and 2015. They deny the allegations.
MARCH 22, 2024: The brothers lost their appeal to get back £10million worth of assets seized by cops.
APRIL 26, 2024: A Romanian court rules that Andrew and Tristan will face trail over ongoing probe into rape and human trafficking.
JULY 5, 2024: Courts rule that Andrew and Tristan can leave Romania – but must stay in the EU
Andrew Tate is a huge internet personality, projecting ultra masculinityinstagram
The brothers are seen detained on WednesdayEPA/Robert Ghement
APMasked cops scoured four different properties across Romania[/caption]