Popular influencer Andrew Tate has been charged in Romania with rape, human trafficking and forming an organised crime group to exploit women sexually.

His brother Tristan and two associates also face charges. All have denied the allegations. The Tate brothers were first arrested at their Bucharest home in December.

In March, they were moved from custody to house arrest following a ruling by a Romanian judge.

According to the BBC, the indictment deposited with the Bucharest court says that the four defendants formed an organised criminal group in 2021 to commit human trafficking in Romania, but also in other countries including the US and the UK.

It names seven alleged victims who it says were recruited by the Tate brothers through false promises of love and marriage. According to a statement from Romanian prosecutors, the alleged victims were later taken to buildings in Ilfov County in Romania where they were intimidated, under constant surveillance and control and forced into debt.

The defendants allegedly then forced the women to take part in pornography which was later shared on social media. One defendant is accused of raping a woman twice in March 2022, the statement adds.

The trial will not start immediately and is expected to take several years.

A Romanian judge now has 60 days to inspect the case files before they can be sent to trial.

The media team for the Tate brothers said: “While this news is undoubtedly predictable, we embrace the opportunity it presents to demonstrate their innocence and vindicate their reputation.”