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Well-known social media figure and professional kickboxer Andrew Tate, together with his brother Tristan Tate, have been charged of serious crimes involving human trafficking, rape, and establishing an unlawful group with the intention to exploit women, according to Romanian prosecutors' statement released on Tuesday.

The Tate brothers, both British-American dual citizens, are among the four accused, which also includes two Romanian women.

Andrew Tate Charged : A Crime Ring Allegedly Spanning Three Nations

Authorities claim the group was put together in 2021 to commit human trafficking crimes not only in Romania but also extending to the United States and Britain.

It's alleged that the group lured seven women with false promises of love and marriage, transporting them to Romania where they were reportedly subjected to sexual exploitation and physical violence.

The female victims were allegedly taken to locations in Ilfov county, Romania, where they were continually monitored, intimidated, and forced into debt, a press release from Romanian prosecutors explicated.

Andrew Tate Charged : Arrest, Asset Seizure, and Current Status

The divisive Tate brothers, and the two other Romanian suspects, were taken into custody in Romania’s capital, Bucharest, late last December.

However, following a successful appeal on March 31, the brothers were transferred from police custody to house arrest.

Additionally, prosecutors have moved to seize assets from the Tates, including 15 luxury vehicles, opulent timepieces, and approximately $3 million in cryptocurrency.

 Controversy and Previous Scandals

Andrew Tate, 36, has been a prominent and contentious figure online with millions of Twitter followers.

Since 2017, he's been residing in Romania and has had past run-ins with social media platforms where he was banned for expressing misogynistic views and promoting hate speech.

He also made headlines in 2016 when he was ejected from the British TV show Big Brother following a video that appeared to depict him assaulting a woman.

Despite these controversies, Andrew Tate has maintained his innocence, asserting the charges are a politically-motivated conspiracy and that Romanian prosecutors lack concrete evidence.

 A Long Legal Battle Ahead

The upcoming trial promises to be a drawn-out process expected to span several years. A Romanian judge now has 60 days to review the case before it can proceed to trial.

Notably, separate charges related to money laundering and trafficking of minors are also under scrutiny which could potentially lead to another indictment.

Throughout this legal storm, Tate's spokesperson Mateea Petrescu conveyed the brothers' resolution to defend their reputation and "demonstrate their innocence".

The legal team has pledged full cooperation with authorities, promising to present evidence to dispel any false allegations or misinterpretations.