Prosecutors File Rape and Human Trafficking Charges Against Controversial Influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate
UK prosecutors charge Andrew and Tristan Tate with 21 crimes, including rape, as the brothers deny all allegations.
Social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate have been officially charged with a total of 21 criminal offenses in the United Kingdom, including rape and human trafficking, prosecutors announced on Wednesday. The brothers, both dual U.S. and U.K. citizens, have been under scrutiny for several years due to their online presence and alleged involvement in serious crimes.
The Crown Prosecution Service revealed that the charges, which were first authorized in January 2024, mark the first time either brother has faced criminal indictment in Britain. Authorities issued arrest warrants earlier this year, but only now has the full list of allegations against them been made public.
Andrew Tate faces 10 charges connected to three different women, including rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking, and controlling prostitution for gain. Tristan Tate is charged with 11 offenses relating to one woman, among them rape, human trafficking, and actual bodily harm.
Both brothers are known for their significant social media following, totaling over 10 million supporters. They often present themselves as entrepreneurs, with Andrew, a former kickboxer and MMA fighter, gaining particular notoriety for his outspoken and contentious online persona.
The charges in the United Kingdom are not the first legal troubles for the Tates. In Romania, where they relocated in 2016, they have faced ongoing allegations of luring women into sexual exploitation and other forms of trafficking. A previous case in 2022 did not advance to trial after a judge ruled that there were too many procedural problems with the prosecution’s evidence.
A separate criminal investigation, launched in August 2024, is also underway in Romania over accusations that the brothers trafficked underage girls. British authorities noted additional allegations in the U.K., including claims of tax evasion.
Despite the mounting accusations, both Andrew and Tristan Tate have denied wrongdoing in Romania, consistently maintaining their innocence through social media and legal representatives.
British prosecutors stated that, following the conclusion of the Romanian proceedings, courts there have ordered the extradition of the brothers to the United Kingdom to face charges stemming from incidents between 2012 and 2015. The warrants were issued by Bedfordshire Police, indicating that the alleged offenses span several years and involve multiple victims.
At the time of reporting, the current location of Andrew and Tristan Tate remains unclear. Photographs taken last week showed the brothers outside a police station in Voluntari, Romania, where they are required to report regularly as part of ongoing court-ordered restrictions.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
