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Four women who allege they were sexually abused by social media influencer Andrew Tate have urged the US not to interfere in his case in Romania.
The women said they were “extremely concerned” by reports that US officials had asked Romania to relax travel restrictions against Tate and his brother, Tristan Tate, who have dual UK-US nationality.
Lawyer Matthew Jury, who is representing the four alleged victims, told the BBC they were “absolutely bewildered” why the Trump administration had decided to interfere in this way, although Romania denies being pressured by the US.
Tate, 38, and his brother face trial on allegations of rape, trafficking minors, and money laundering in Romania, all of which they deny.
Separately, the brothers are wanted by police in the UK over allegations of rape and human trafficking, which they also deny. Their extradition to the UK will be dealt with once the Romania case finishes.
One source told The Financial Times that a request had been made by the US to return the brothers’ passports to them so they could travel while waiting for the criminal case against them to finish.
Romanian Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu confirmed to Euronews that Grenell had raised Tate’s case with him, and that Grenell had said he was “interested in the fate of the Tate brothers”. The minister denied this amounted to pressure from Americans.
A spokesperson for Mr Hurezeanu told The Financial Times: “Romanian courts are independent and operate based on the law, there is due process.”
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu also denied the reports, writing on X: [The US] has not made any requests to [Romania] upon the legal situation of well-known foreign influencers investigated by the Romanian authorities. There were no demands either during the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Richard Grenell discussion or after it.
Andrew Tate has wide support on right-wing social media, and supported Trump during the US election campaign. Lawyer Mr Jury said: “It’s very clear from members of the Trump administration’s social media posts and public statements that there is a great deal of support for Tate. Either they don’t know or they don’t care about the nature of the allegations and how serious they are.”
Lawyer Mr Jury also accused the reported US actions of “gaslighting” the victims. He said: “To see the most powerful man in the world support their alleged abuser, is incredibly traumatising… it’s gaslighting of a sort.”
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