A Romanian court has ruled that the case against controversial influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate involving human trafficking and other charges cannot go to trial in its current form.
On Thursday, the Bucharest Court of Appeal upheld the brothers’ challenge and sent the case back to prosecutors for further review.
This is the second time the court has returned the case to prosecutors, who now have five days to amend the indictment or drop the charges.
The Tate brothers, ages 37 and 36 respectively, are accused of human trafficking and forming an organized group to sexually exploit women. They strongly deny the accusations.
In November, the same court found “irregularities” in the indictment against them and asked prosecutors to change their statements.
At the time, the court also struck out several pieces of evidence, deeming some of the alleged victim’s statements inadmissible.
The brothers’ successful appeal Thursday marked another setback for prosecutors.
The two British and US citizens are accused of exploiting women through an adult content business, which prosecutors describe as a criminal enterprise.
The indictment unsealed last June also named two Romanian female accomplices and identified seven alleged victims.
Andrew Tate is a self-proclaimed misogynist who has previously been banned from social media platforms for expressing such views.
The former kickboxer has won millions of fans on social media for his political views and his flamboyant lifestyle, which he often flaunts in his films.
Previously living in the UK, he has now been living in Romania for many years.
After Thursday’s ruling in his favor, he issued a statement, saying: “They have spent years building their case – years tearing my life apart, targeting people I know. Everyone, even the mother of my child was summoned.
He added: “This is all a lie and I will fight until the end to expose it and prove my innocence.”
His brother Tristan said: “If there’s not enough evidence to go to trial after all these years, that means there never was enough evidence.”
The Romanian Prosecutor’s Office (DIICOT) has not yet commented on the ruling.
In August, the agency said it had opened a second criminal investigation into the Tate brothers, with new charges involving trafficking of minors, sex with minors and money laundering.
British police are also seeking the Tate brothers’ extradition on rape and human trafficking charges. They are also accused of tax evasion.
The Tate brothers have denied the accusations.