Social media influencer Andrew Tate has been officially indicted in absentia by Romanian prosecutors in cases related to trafficking of minors, having sexual relations with a minor, witness tampering, and money laundering. His brother, Tristan Tate, has also been charged with complicity in these crimes. The former kickboxers, holding dual citizenship of the UK and the USA, have been facing criminal investigations in Romania since 2022. They were arrested after authorities requested legal proceedings, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Romanian prosecutors have accused the Tate brothers of recruiting victims by giving them false hope of marriage or relationships, only to later force them to produce pornographic content. The prosecutors have also alleged that one of the victims was 15 years old when Andrew Tate met her in Britain in 2012 before taking her to Romania, where she was allegedly sexually exploited and forced to produce pornographic material.

According to investigators, the brothers made approximately $1.25 million from the victim's online video-chat activities, retaining around 80% of the revenue generated from her work. The indictment further accuses Andrew Tate of having sexual relations with another 15-year-old and attempting to influence or intimidate witnesses. Meanwhile, Tristan Tate is accused of assisting his brother in the alleged crimes and using physical aggression against one of the victims, according to Romanian authorities.

The brothers have denied all allegations, and their lawyer, Eugen Vidineac, stated that they intend to challenge any evidentiary, procedural, or legal flaws within the indictment. This latest indictment does not mean the brothers will immediately face trial; the case must first go before a preliminary court chamber, where a judge will examine the charges and evidence before deciding whether to proceed to trial.