OK, we have some new updates on the Tate case from DIICOT, with a total number of victims (35) and details of the alleged crimes. Long thread, but worth it.
Prosecutors from the Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism have ordered the detention of 6 defendants for serious crimes including forming an organized criminal group, human trafficking, and more.
⚖️ Update on the Investigation ⚖️
New revelations have emerged from the criminal investigation documents. Foreign and Romanian citizens allegedly formed an organized criminal group in Romania, focusing on human trafficking. The group exploited vulnerable individuals,
producing and distributing pornographic materials for profit.
Two of the defendants, using the loverboy method and taking advantage of the obvious state of vulnerability of 34 injured persons. 35 is the TOTAL number, including the minor.
💰 Profits from Exploitation 💰
The suspects reportedly generated over $2.8 million and 887,000 tokens from the sexual exploitation of victims.
Re the minor: from 2014 to December 2021, one of the defendants (foreign citizen), by misleading (the loverboy method) and taking advantage of the obvious vulnerability of a minor victim (17 years old, foreign citizen), transported and sheltered her in several locations located
on the territories of Great Britain and Romania, where he forced her to perform sexual acts in order to produce pornographic materials and distribute them on various websites.
Material benefits valued at over 1.5 million US dollars were obtained from the criminal activity, which the defendant appropriated in full.
Also in his charge, it was noted that starting from December 2020, he repeatedly had sexual relations and acts with a minor victim, aged 15.
In order to hide or dissimulate the illicit origin of the money resulting from the commission of the crime of human trafficking, between December 2023 and July 2024, the two defendants purchased and registered four luxury cars in the name of close people.
At the same time, in an attempt to prevent the discovery of the truth, they took actions of a clearly intimidating nature and acts of corruption against injured persons and witnesses in order to induce them not to give statements or to give false statements in this file.
With regard to two other defendants (Romanian citizens), from the conducted investigations, it emerged that they acted with the aim of hindering the investigations in this criminal case.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
🧵 1/8 I want to clarify some recent public claims regarding the Romanian case involving the Tate brothers, especially the "5-day deadline" they’ve mentioned. This misinformation can create confusion for those following the case.
2/8 The Tate brothers have stated that the case against them will be dropped 5 days after the court’s ruling on November 19, 2024. However, this interpretation is incorrect and inconsistent with Romanian criminal procedure.
3/8 According to Article 345(3) of the Romanian Code of Criminal Procedure, the 5-day deadline for the prosecutor to address irregularities begins only after the reasoned decision is communicated to the prosecutor's office.
🚨 #BREAKING: Romania is gearing up for some significant reforms in human trafficking laws! Big changes on the horizon! 👀 🧵
1/7 🚨 Joint committee of the Romanian Parliament has teamed up with the International Justice Mission (IJM) and ANAIS Association to propose significant amendments to the law on human trafficking. New legislative efforts are in motion!
2/7 The proposals aim to amend Law 211/2004 and the Penal Code to classify pimping as human trafficking based on the victim's age. Both bills received unanimous support from the Senate and are now with the Chamber of Deputies.
Romania: out of 5 reported sexual offenses to the police, 4 end without any charges being brought against a perpetrator. 1/4
In practice, only 1 out of 5 rape reports filed by victims at national police stations and turned into cases under investigation by prosecutors' offices or courts result in charges being brought against a perpetrator (official report) 2/4
And only 1 out of 7 reports of sexual intercourse with a minor, after passing through the police-prosecutor process, concludes with the legal outcome of charges being brought against a perpetrator. 3/4
🧵 Victims' testimonies play a significant role in human trafficking cases. However, the legal system also considers other factors and evidence to ensure a comprehensive and fair trial. Below, some key aspects of 🇷🇴 jurisdiction:
1. Legal framework: Romania has specific legislation that addresses human trafficking, such as Law No. 678/2001 on preventing and combating trafficking. This law outlines the definition of human trafficking, criminalises related activities, and establishes penalties.
2. Victim Protection: Romanian law emphasizes the protection and support of human trafficking victims throughout the legal process. Special measures are taken to ensure their safety and confidentiality during court proceedings.
From court documents in the Andrew Tate case: “After the replacement of preventive custodial measures, the named Andrew and Tristan TATE began to approach all the girls they had sexually exploited in the past who had not been detained in the first accusation.” 1/5
Victim, 15yo: “Andrew said that he hopes that when I go to DIICOT I will declare only good things about him, as X (name withheld by me) did, for this he offered me the sum of 5000 euros, but he only gave me the equivalent in pounds of the sum of 2500 euros, cash.” 2/5
Statements continues: “He also brought me a mobile phone with which he told me to present myself at DIICOT when I come to make statements, and to leave my phone at home". 3/5