Latest news with #DirectorateforInvestigatingOrganizedCrimeandTerrorism
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jean-Claude Van Damme accused of sex with trafficked women from Romania
Jean-Claude Van Damme, actor and action star of the '90s, has been accused of having sex with trafficked women from Romania, according to multiple media reports. Van Damme was named in a criminal complaint filed with the Romanian Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism, Romanian newspaper Libertatea reported. It said the 64-year-old actor was in Cannes more than a decade ago when he was 'given' five women linked to a criminal group led by Romanian businessman and modeling agency owner Morel Bolea. Van Damme then had sex with the group, despite having prior knowledge they were trafficked, according to the complaint. Attorney Adrian Cuculis, who represents one of the alleged victims, said the allegations were uncovered amid a wider probe into human trafficking and the trafficking of minors, which was launched by the Prosecutor's Office in 2020. 'Several Romanians who are currently being investigated for forming a criminal group and pimping, allegedly offered Jean-Claude Van Damme five Romanian women — photo models in Romania — for him to have sexual relations with,' Attorney Adrian Cuculis, who represents one of the alleged victims, told Romanian news station Antena 3. 'The person who received those benefits knew their condition.' Cuclis added that the women 'were in a state of vulnerability, with the suspicion that they were exploited within the meaning of Article 182 of the Criminal Code,' which refers to the exploitation of persons. A Belgian-born martial artist, Van Damme found success in Hollywood, with 1988's 'Bloodsport' marking his breakout role. Since then he's appeared in more than 80 movies and is widely recognized by his thick accent. Other notable roles — many of them action films — include 'Kickboxer,' 'Double Impact,' 'Double Team' and 'The Expendables 2.' Van Damme more recently lent his voice to characters in 2022's 'Minions: Rise of Gru' and the 2025 movie 'The Gardener.' He has not yet publicly commented on the allegations. _____
NBC News
27-02-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Florida Gov. DeSantis says Andrew Tate and brother Tristan are not welcome in the state
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday that Andrew and Tristan Tate, the influencer brothers who face charges in Romania of human trafficking and sexual intercourse with a minor, were not welcome in the state. At a news conference, DeSantis said the state had nothing to do with the Tates, but that it had little power to prevent them from visiting the state. The brothers left Romania on a private flight and landed Thursday at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport after a travel ban was lifted. Andrew and Tristan Tate are dual citizens of the United States and the U.K. "We have no involvement in that," DeSantis said. "I read about it through the media." He added that Florida's attorney general, James Uthmeier, was looking at the state's options but was confident that it's up to the federal government to stop them from entering the U.S. "Florida is not a place where you're welcome with that type of conduct," the governor said. In a statement shared to X, Uthmeier said he had directed his office "to work with our state law enforcement partners to conduct a preliminary inquiry into these individuals." "Florida has zero tolerance for human trafficking and violence against women," Uthmeier wrote. "If any of these alleged crimes trigger Florida jurisdiction, we will hold them accountable." After landing in Florida, Andrew Tate gave brief remarks to the media. "We live in a democratic society where it's innocent until proven guilty and I think my brother and I are largely misunderstood. There's a lot of opinions about us that go around on the internet. We've yet to be convicted of any crime in our lives ever. We have no criminal record anywhere on the planet," he said. He added that he and his brother were allowed to leave Romania because there is "no active indictment" preventing them from returning. A spokesperson for the brothers, Mateea Petrescu, said the two landed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, around midday, The Associated Press reported. Joseph McBride, an attorney for the Tate brothers, quickly pushed back on DeSantis' remarks in a post shared to X. "Andrew & Tristan Tate are American Citizens. They are also the Plaintiffs and victims in a very public defamation lawsuit litigated in Palm Beach Court," he wrote. "Trump-hating @RonDeSantis has disgraced himself by stating that @Cobratate & @TateTheTalisman are not welcome in Florida!" Ahead of the brothers' arrival, a senior Trump administration official was unable to comment on the brothers' entering the United States. "I have no insight right now on anything related to the Tate brothers," the official said, adding that the White House would monitor the situation. The brothers left Romania while under criminal investigation over accusations of having formed an organized criminal group, in addition to human trafficking, the trafficking of minors, sex with a minor and money laundering. They have denied any wrongdoing. Romania's Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism, or DIICOT, said in a statement Thursday that prosecutors had approved a 'request to modify the obligation preventing the defendants from leaving Romania,' but it said judicial control measures remained in place, the AP reported. The agency did not expand on who had made the request.
The Independent
27-02-2025
- The Independent
Who are the Tate brothers? The social media influencers facing trafficking charges
Influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate have landed in the United States after a travel ban on them was lifted, officials said on Thursday. The brothers - who are avid supporters of President Donald Trump and have millions of online followers - are both charged with human trafficking in Romania. It wasn't clear under what conditions the Tates were allowed to leave Romania but a representative confirmed the pair had landed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Here are some things to know about them: Who are the Tate Brothers? Andrew Tate, 38, and Tristan Tate, 36 are dual US-British citizens. Andrew Tate is a former professional kickboxer and self-described misogynist who has amassed more than 10 million followers on X. He also runs an online academy where he says he teaches young men how to get rich and attract women. Tristan Tate is also a former kickboxer. The Tates are avid supporters of President Donald Trump. What are they charged with in Romania? The Tate brothers and two Romanian women were arrested in Bucharest in late 2022. The Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism alleged the four defendants formed a criminal group in 2021 'in order to commit the crime of human trafficking' in Romania, the United States and Britain. They were initially formally indicted last year. In April, the Bucharest Tribunal ruled that a trial could start but didn't set a date. In December, a court in Bucharest ruled that the case against the Tates and the two Romanian women couldn't go to trial because of multiple legal and procedural irregularities on the part of the prosecutors. The case hasn't been closed, and there is also a separate legal case against the brothers in Romania. Andrew Tate has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors in Romania have no evidence against him and that there is a political conspiracy to silence him. But they were charged with forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, among other charges. What led to the travel ban being lifted? DIICOT, Romania's anti-organized crime agency, said in a statement on Thursday that prosecutors approved a 'request to modify the obligation preventing the defendants from leaving Romania,' but that judicial control measures remained in place. The agency didn't say who had made the request. The control measures include the requirement to 'appear before judicial authorities whenever summoned,' the statement read. The agency said the Tates were 'warned that deliberately violating these obligations may result in judicial control being replaced with a stricter deprivation of liberty measure.' Their departure came after Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu said this month that a U.S. official in the current Trump administration had expressed interest in the brothers' legal case in Romania at the Munich Security Conference. The minister insisted it didn't amount to pressure.
Roya News
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
Andrew, Tristan Tate leave Romania for US after travel ban lifted
Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan departed from Romania for the US after a travel ban against them was lifted. The change comes after the Trump administration reportedly urged the Romanian government to remove the travel restrictions earlier this month. The Tate brothers were first arrested by Romanian authorities three years ago and are facing trial on charges including trafficking minors, engaging in sexual intercourse with a minor, and money laundering, all of which they deny. Additionally, a separate case against them involving accusations of human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women has been returned to prosecutors. Both brothers, who hold dual UK-US citizenship, are also subject to a European arrest warrant issued by Bedfordshire Police related to allegations of rape and human trafficking that date back to 2012-2015. The Romanian Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) confirmed that prosecutors approved a request to modify the ban on the defendants leaving Romania, stipulating that they must appear before judicial authorities when summoned. The agency warned that any deliberate violations of these obligations could lead to stricter measures. Although the travel ban has been lifted, the brothers remain under investigation and are expected to return to Romania at the end of March. Their attorney, Eugen Vidineac, stated earlier this year that the brothers are committed to clearing their names. In response to the news of their departure, four women who have accused Andrew Tate of rape and coercive control expressed their distress, stating they feel 'retraumatized' by the development. In a joint statement, they said, 'We are in disbelief and feel retraumatized by the news that the Romanian authorities have given into pressure from the Trump administration to allow Andrew Tate to travel around Europe and to the US. We can only hope that the British authorities finally take action, do something about this terrifying unfolding situation and ensure he faces justice in the UK.' Earlier this month, reports surfaced indicating that the Trump administration had exerted pressure on Romanian officials to lift the judicial control restrictions on the Tates. Romanian officials denied any political pressure but acknowledged that US special envoy Richard Grenell had requested the brothers be allowed to travel freely. Emil Hurezeanu, spokesperson for the Romanian foreign minister, emphasized that "Romanian courts are independent and operate based on the law; there is due process." It remains unclear whether the Tate brothers are headed to Florida to meet Donald Trump, as they have been vocal supporters of the former president and have connections within his inner circle. Andrew Tate has maintained friendships with individuals such as Paul Ingrassia, who was nominated by Trump as the White House liaison for the Department of Justice, and Donald Trump Jr., who previously described Andrew's detention as 'absolute insanity.'
Arab News
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate head to US after travel ban is lifted in Romania
FLORIDA: A travel ban was lifted on influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate, who are both charged with human trafficking in Romania, and they are headed to the United States, officials said Thursday. The brothers are avid supporters of President Donald Trump and have millions of online followers. It wasn't clear under what conditions the Tates were allowed to leave Romania, or where in the United States they were headed. Andrew Tate, 38, and Tristan Tate, 36 are dual US-British citizens. Andrew Tate is a former professional kickboxer and self-described misogynist who has amassed more than 10 million followers on X. He also runs an online academy where he says he teaches young men how to get rich and attract women. Tristan Tate is also a former kickboxer. The Tates are avid supporters of President Donald Trump. What are they charged with in Romania? The Tate brothers and two Romanian women were arrested in Bucharest in late 2022. The Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism alleged the four defendants formed a criminal group in 2021 'in order to commit the crime of human trafficking' in Romania as well as the United States and Britain. They were initially formally indicted last year. In April, the Bucharest Tribunal ruled that a trial could start but didn't set a date. In December, a court in Bucharest ruled that the case against the Tates and the two Romanian women couldn't go to trial because of multiple legal and procedural irregularities on the part of the prosecutors. The case hasn't been closed, and there is also a separate legal case against the brothers in Romania. Andrew Tate has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors in Romania have no evidence against him and that there is a political conspiracy to silence him. But they were charged with forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, among other charges. What led to the travel ban being lifted? DIICOT, Romania's anti-organized crime agency, said in a statement Thursday that prosecutors approved a 'request to modify the obligation preventing the defendants from leaving Romania,' but that judicial control measures remained in place. The agency didn't say who had made the request. The control measures include the requirement to 'appear before judicial authorities whenever summoned,' the statement read. The agency said the Tates were 'warned that deliberately violating these obligations may result in judicial control being replaced with a stricter deprivation of liberty measure.' Their departure came after Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu said this month that a US official in the current Trump administration had expressed interest in the brothers' legal case in Romania at the Munich Security Conference. The minister insisted it didn't amount to pressure.
