(ANSA-AFP) - LONDON, FEB 19 - Four British women who have
accused notorious influencer Andrew Tate of rape said Wednesday
they were "concerned" by reports the US government was
petitioning Romania to ease his travel restrictions. American
and British dual-citizen Tate faces several charges in Romania
including trafficking of and sexual relations with minors, as
well as money laundering and organising a criminal group, all of
which he denies. According to the Financial Times, US President
Donald Trump's administration brought up his case with Romanian
authorities last week, calling for Bucharest to return the
passports of both Tate and his brother Tristan. Romanian
prosecutors allege that former kickboxer Tate, 38, his brother,
36, and two women set up a criminal organisation in early 2021
in Romania and in Britain, and sexually exploited several
victims. The brothers say they are innocent. The four women, who
are bringing a civil case against Tate at the High Court in the
UK accusing him of rape and coercive control between 2013 and
2016, urged Washington not to get involved. "We hope that the
Romanian and the UK authorities will be left alone to do their
jobs," the alleged victims said in a statement, saying any
relaxation of the travel restrictions would allow the brothers
to flee justice. Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said
Thursday the United States has "not made any requests" over the
brothers' "legal situation". But Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu
confirmed Trump's envoy Richard Grenell raised Tate's case with
him at the Munich Security Conference last week, Romanian media
reported. The victims' UK lawyer, Matthew Jury, said he found
"the development, if true, equally bizarre and outrageous". "It
would be embarrassing for the UK government and a complete
abdication of its responsibility to the victims if it stands by
and lets this continue," said Jury, adding the women were
"absolutely distraught". Andrew Tate moved to Romania years ago
after first starting a webcam business in the UK. (ANSA-AFP).
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