Andrew Tate faces rape and assault charges in Britain, along with tax evasion, plus a new investigation in Romania involving minors.
A human trafficking case brought against British-American influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate cannot proceed to trial in its current form, a court in Romania ruled 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, who have five days to amend the indictment or drop the charges.
The Tate brothers are accused of human trafficking and forming an organized group to sexually exploit women. They have denied the charges.
In November, the same court found “irregularities” in the indictment against them, requiring prosecutors to amend their case.
At the time, the court also removed several pieces of evidence, deeming some statements from alleged victims as inadmissible.
The brothers’ successful appeal on Thursday marks another setback for prosecutors who 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.
Following the ruling in his favor 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.”
Andrew Tate has been previously banned from social media platforms for expressing misogynistic views.
The former kickboxer, 38, has gained millions of followers online, where he has often mixed political messages with showing off a flashy lifestyle. He moved to Romania several years ago from Britain.
Romania’s anti organized crime prosecutor’s office, known as DIICOT, has not commented 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.
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 £2 million from the Tate brothers for failing to pay tax on £21 million in revenue from their online businesses.
Romanian court orders evidence removed from Andrew Tate human trafficking case
