Controversial British-American influencer Tate Brothers Charged with Human Trafficking, Rape, and Forming Organized Crime Group to sexually exploit women.
The Tate brothers were first arrested in December 2022 at their Bucharest home. In March, they were moved from custody to house arrest following a ruling by a Romanian judge.
The indictment filed with the Bucharest court alleges that the four defendants formed an organized criminal group in 2021 to commit human trafficking in Romania, as well as in other countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
The indictment names seven alleged victims who it says were recruited by the Tate brothers through false promises of love and marriage. The alleged victims were then taken to buildings in Ilfov County in Romania, where they were intimidated, placed under constant surveillance and control, and forced into debt, according to a statement from Romanian prosecutors.
The defendants allegedly then forced the women to take part in pornography, which was later shared on social media.
All four defendants have denied the allegations.
The case is ongoing, and the defendants are scheduled to appear in court again on July 11, 2023.
If convicted, the defendants could face up to 20 years in prison.
The charges against the Tate brothers have sparked outrage in Romania, and there have been calls for the government to take action to crack down on human trafficking.
The case is also being closely watched by human rights groups, who say that it is a reminder of the dangers faced by women who are trafficked for sexual exploitation.