Accepted five trafficked women as gift and engaged in sexual relations with them; case against actor Jean-Claude Van Damme 

BUCHAREST: Martial artist and actor Jean-Claude Van Damme is facing legal action in Romania over allegations of engaging in sexual relations with trafficked women. The 64-year-old actor is accused of accepting five women as a "gift" from a criminal network, fully aware that they were victims of human trafficking, according to Romanian authorities. A complaint has been filed with the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) in Romania regarding the matter.

Reports suggest that the alleged incident took place during an event hosted by Van Damme in Cannes, France. The case was registered following an investigation triggered by a revelation from one of the victims. Authorities claim that multiple individuals involved in human trafficking and organized crime had offered five Romanian women to Van Damme. The victims' lawyer stated that the actor was fully aware of their situation and yet he chose to exploit them. The case against Van Damme is part of an ongoing investigation into human trafficking that began in 2020.

Jean-Claude Van Damme, a Belgian national, is a renowned martial artist, actor, and filmmaker, best known for action films such as Bloodsport (1988), Kickboxer (1989), and Universal Soldier (1992). Born in Belgium in 1960, he trained in karate and kickboxing before moving to Hollywood in the 1980s. Nicknamed "The Muscles from Brussels," Van Damme was a leading action star in the 1990s. He has previously faced legal troubles, including drug-related cases and domestic violence allegations. Before his Hollywood career, he was a member of the Belgian karate team and won the European Karate Championship in 1979.