Four women who claim they were sexually assaulted by social media influencer Andrew Tate have urged the United States not to intervene in his legal situation in Romania.
The women expressed being “extremely concerned” over reports indicating that US officials had requested Romania to ease travel constraints on Tate and his brother, Tristan Tate, both of whom hold dual UK-US citizenship.
Attorney Matthew Jury, representing the four alleged victims, told the BBC they were “absolutely bewildered” by the decision of the Trump administration to intervene in this manner, although Romania has denied any pressure from the US.
Tate, 38, and his brother were taken into custody in Romania three years ago and are facing trial on charges of rape, trafficking minors, and money laundering, all of which they dispute.
In addition, the brothers are being sought by law enforcement in the UK for accusations of rape and human trafficking, which they also deny. Their extradition to the UK will be addressed once the proceedings in Romania conclude.
The Financial Times first reported last week that US officials had discussed the case with the Romanian government, after which Trump’s envoy Richard Grenell followed up over the weekend.
One source informed the paper that a request had been made by the US to return the brothers’ passports so they could travel while awaiting the resolution of their criminal case.
Currently, the Tate brothers are prohibited from leaving Romania but are no longer under house arrest.
Romanian Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu confirmed to Euronews that Grenell had discussed Tate’s situation with him, stating that Grenell expressed “interest in the fate of the Tate brothers.” The minister denied any indication that this represented pressure from the Americans.
A representative for Mr. Hurezeanu informed the Financial Times: “Romanian courts are independent and function according to the law; due process is followed.”
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu also refuted the claims on X, writing: [The US] has not made any requests to [Romania] regarding the legal circumstances of prominent foreign figures being investigated by Romanian authorities.
“There have been no demands, either during the meeting between the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Richard Grenell or afterward. Romania and the USA uphold shared values concerning fundamental rights and freedoms.”
According to the FT, Grenell stated he did not have a “substantive conversation” with Hurezeanu, but added: “I support the Tate brothers as demonstrated by my publicly available tweets.”
The BBC has sought commentary from the US State Department.
Gaslighting
The Tate brothers have significant backing on right-wing social platforms and endorsed Trump during his election campaign in the US.
Mr. Jury, their lawyer, stated: “It is evident from social media interactions and public remarks by members of the Trump administration that there is considerable support for Tate.
“Whether they are unaware or indifferent to the seriousness of the allegations is unclear,” he told BBC Newsnight.
He mentioned that the women he represents are “completely devastated.”
“To witness the most influential individual in the world support their alleged perpetrator is extremely distressing… it constitutes a form of gaslighting.”
He characterized the reported actions from the US as “an egregious interference in my clients’ right to a fair trial and due process.”
Mr. Jury is advocating for the four women in a civil lawsuit against Tate at the UK High Court, following the decision by the Crown Prosecution Service not to pursue their case. The Tate brothers refute the accusations.
The civil lawsuit is distinct from the criminal allegations still being examined by British authorities.
In their statement, the four women expressed: “We hope that the authorities in Romania and the UK will be permitted to perform their duties without interference.”
Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick also cautioned the US against meddling, asserting that the Tate brothers “must answer to our legal system.”
“No barriers should hinder the efforts of UK authorities. The government needs to communicate this clearly to US officials.”
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Tate identifies as a misogynist and has faced bans from social media platforms for voicing such opinions.
Having previously lived in the UK, he is a former kickboxer who has accumulated millions of online followers and has resided in Romania for several years.
