Masculinist influencer Andrew Tate escapes trial for the moment

In a twist in the Andrew Tate saga, the Romanian justice system accepted, on Thursday, December 19, the appeal filed by the British influencer, who will therefore not be judged at this stage for human trafficking in an organized gang and rape.

The Bucharest Court of Appeal decided to “return” definitively to the anti-corruption prosecutor’s office the indictment which had led to his indictment. Initially, the court in the Romanian capital announced a trial in the spring without providing a date, but in mid-November the justice system reported “irregularities”. Furthermore, she had “excluded from evidence” the statements of two alleged victims, due to “procedural violations”. The defense lawyer, Mr.^e Eugen Vidineac, immediately greeted “a major legal victory”.

“They threw me in prison, took my money, my cars and every last ounce of freedom”reacted the 38-year-old masculinist influencer, currently under house arrest in a villa near Bucharest for another matter. “These are all lies and I will fight to the end to prove my innocence”he added in a press release sent to the media. According to his brother Tristan, 36, also prosecuted, “the decision to dismiss the prosecution’s case highlights fundamental flaws in the evidence presented”.

“Psychological coercion”

The prosecution suspects the two men of having duped several women for the purposes of sexual exploitation. After their arrest in 2022 in Bucharest, where they have lived for several years, they spent three months in detention before being placed under judicial supervision with a ban on leaving the territory pending their trial.

According to prosecutors, the victims were trapped by the two men who simulated feelings towards them (the so-called « lover boy »), before being forced “through acts of physical violence and psychological coercion” to the production of pornographic films. Andrew Tate also faces charges of alleged rape. In another more recent aspect, he is the target of similar allegations concerning minors.

The two brothers are also the subject of accusations of rape and assault in other cases in Great Britain, where they have also been convicted of tax fraud. A court on Wednesday authorized police to seize more than two million pounds sterling (2.4 million euros) from their accounts. Of “pure and simple theft”accused Andrew Tate. Romanian justice announced in March that it was ready to accept their extradition but only after the trial which was to take place in Romania.

Born in the United States in 1986, former professional kickboxing fighter Andrew Tate has lived in the Eastern European country for several years. Before finding himself behind bars, he said he appreciated “freedom” offered in Romania and “the fact that corruption is accessible to everyone”.

Banned from Instagram and TikTok for misogynistic remarks, he is followed by more than ten million people on the social network luxury. This fan of Donald Trump gives his advice to men to help them become rich, calling in particular to invest in bitcoin, and promotes masculinist theses. Very often with homophobic, racist, sometimes violent messages against women.