Andrew Tate to stand trial in Romania for human trafficking

The influencer and his brother Tristan are under house arrest following an investigation into alleged abuse against seven women

Former professional kickboxer and social media influencer Andrew Tate (C), is followed by his brother Tristan (R), outside a court in Romania earlier this year. EPA

Prosecutors in Romania have sent controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate, his brother Tristan and two other suspects to trial on charges of human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women.

The Tate brothers and two Romanian female suspects are under house arrest pending a criminal investigation into alleged abuses against seven women, accusations they have denied.

The four were held in police custody from December 29 until March 31 before a Bucharest court put them under house arrest.

Andrew Tate has also been charged with raping one of the victims, while his brother Tristan has been charged with instigating others to violence.

The trial will not start immediately.

Under Romanian law, the case gets sent to the court's preliminary chamber, where a judge has 60 days to inspect the case files to ensure legality.

The Tate brothers, former kickboxers who have US and British nationality with millions of online followers, are the highest profile suspects to be sent to trial in Romania for human trafficking.

Prosecutors have said the Tate brothers recruited their victims by seducing them and falsely claiming to want a relationship or marriage.

Andrew Tate detained in Romania — in pictures

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  Police officers escort Andrew Tate to the Court of Appeal in Bucharest, Romania. AP

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  Tate, the divisive influencer and former professional kickboxer, was detained on suspicion of being involved in organised crime and human trafficking. AP

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  The British-American, who has 4.7 million followers on Twitter, was also accused of rape. Reuters

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  Tate, his brother Tristan and two women are escorted by officers into the Court of Appeal in Bucharest. EPA

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  Tate rose to notoriety in 2016 when he was removed from reality TV show Big Brother over a video that appeared to show him hitting a woman with a belt. Reuters

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  On a podcast last year, he said he started making money when he lived in London by convincing girlfriends to videochat and share the profits. AP

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  A police officer looks on as a luxury vehicle is seized on the outskirts of Bucharest, in the case against Tate. AP

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  A car is pictured at 'The Hustlers University' site belonging to Tate in Bucharest. AFP

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  Romania said it had identified six victims in a human-trafficking case who had been subjected to 'acts of physical violence and mental coercion'. EPA