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| Tate brothers human trafficking case sent back by Romanian court | Tate brothers human trafficking case sent back by Romanian court |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| Andrew and Tristan Tate are accused of human trafficking and sexually exploiting women | Andrew and Tristan Tate are accused of human trafficking and sexually exploiting women |
| A human trafficking case brought against controversial influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate cannot proceed to trial in its current form, a court in Romania has ruled. | A human trafficking case brought against controversial influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate cannot proceed to trial in its current form, a court in Romania has ruled. |
| On Thursday, the Court of Appeals in Bucharest upheld a challenge from the brothers, sending the case back to prosecutors for further review. | On Thursday, the Court of Appeals in Bucharest upheld a challenge from the brothers, sending the case back to prosecutors for further review. |
| It is the second time the court has returned the case to prosecutors. | |
| The Tate brothers, aged 38 and 36, are accused of human trafficking and forming an organised group to sexually exploit women. They have strongly denied the charges. | The Tate brothers, aged 38 and 36, are accused of human trafficking and forming an organised group to sexually exploit women. They have strongly denied the charges. |
| In November, the same court found "irregularities" in the indictment against them, requiring prosecutors to amend their brief. | In November, the same court found "irregularities" in the indictment against them, requiring prosecutors to amend their brief. |
| At the time, the court also removed several pieces of evidence, deeming some statements from alleged victims inadmissible. | At the time, the court also removed several pieces of evidence, deeming some statements from alleged victims inadmissible. |
| The brothers' successful appeal on Thursday marks another setback for prosecutors. | The brothers' successful appeal on Thursday marks another setback for prosecutors. |
| They have accused the dual UK-US nationals of exploiting women via an adult content business which allegedly operated as a criminal enterprise. | They have accused the dual UK-US nationals of exploiting women via an adult content business which allegedly operated as a criminal enterprise. |
| Two female Romanian associates were also named in the indictment published in June last year, which identified seven alleged victims. | Two female Romanian associates were also named in the indictment published in June last year, which identified seven alleged victims. |
| Andrew Tate is a self-described misogynist and was previously banned from social media platforms for expressing such views. | Andrew Tate is a self-described misogynist and was previously banned from social media platforms for expressing such views. |
| The former kickboxer has gained millions of followers online, where he has often mixed political messages with showcasing a flashy lifestyle. | The former kickboxer has gained millions of followers online, where he has often mixed political messages with showcasing a flashy lifestyle. |
| He has been living in Romania for a number of years after previously being based in the UK. | He has been living in Romania for a number of years after previously being based in the UK. |
| Following the ruling in his favour on Thursday he released a statement saying: "They've had years to build their case - years to tear apart my life, target everyone I know, and even subpoena the mother of my child. And yet, they have nothing." | Following the ruling in his favour on Thursday he released a statement saying: "They've had years to build their case - years to tear apart my life, target everyone I know, and even subpoena the mother of my child. And yet, they have nothing." |
| He added: "This is all a lie, and I will fight to the very end to expose it and prove my innocence." | He added: "This is all a lie, and I will fight to the very end to expose it and prove my innocence." |
| His brother Tristan said: "If there isn't enough evidence to go to trial after all of these years, that means there never was enough evidence." | His brother Tristan said: "If there isn't enough evidence to go to trial after all of these years, that means there never was enough evidence." |
| Romania's public prosecutor's office, known as DIICOT, was yet to comment on the ruling. | Romania's public prosecutor's office, known as DIICOT, was yet to comment on the ruling. |
| In August, it said it had begun a second criminal investigation against the Tate brothers over new allegations of trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering. | In August, it said it had begun a second criminal investigation against the Tate brothers over new allegations of trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering. |
| The same month, Andrew Tate was placed under house arrest by a Romanian judge, while his brother was placed under special judicial control. | The same month, Andrew Tate was placed under house arrest by a Romanian judge, while his brother was placed under special judicial control. |
| UK police are also seeking the extradition of the Tate brothers in relation to allegations of rape and human trafficking. The Tate brothers deny those allegations. | UK police are also seeking the extradition of the Tate brothers in relation to allegations of rape and human trafficking. The Tate brothers deny those allegations. |
| They have also been accused of tax evasion in the UK. On Wednesday, a British court ruled that police could seize more than £2m from the Tate brothers for failing to pay tax on £21m in revenue from their online businesses. | They have also been accused of tax evasion in the UK. On Wednesday, a British court ruled that police could seize more than £2m from the Tate brothers for failing to pay tax on £21m in revenue from their online businesses. |