A 22-year-old Russian citizen, Matvei Rumiantsev, has denied all charges against him, including assault and two counts of rape, during a hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London. The case has drawn significant attention due to the involvement of Barron Trump, the youngest son of US President Donald Trump, who was on a video call with the alleged victim at the time of the incident.
Court Proceedings and Allegations
During cross-examination by prosecutor Serena Gates, Rumiantsev addressed the events of January last year. He stated that he was not angry when the woman received the incoming FaceTime call from Barron Trump, though he admitted it was "hard for me not to be jealous." When questioned further about his emotions, Rumiantsev explained that he was "quite used to her receiving calls" and "didn't attach much weight to that one day." He added, "I wasn't angry, but I'll be honest I was quite exhausted."
Details of the Alleged Incident
The court heard that Barron Trump contacted the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in the early hours of 18 January 2025. According to the prosecution, Rumiantsev "flew into a rage" after noticing several missed calls from Trump on her phone earlier in the day. He allegedly answered the call and attacked the woman as Trump watched via FaceTime from across the Atlantic, with Trump subsequently alerting the police.
Jurors were shown a video that the prosecutor said depicted the alleged victim on the floor, crying, while Rumiantsev stood over her, speaking in Russian: "Do you understand?" Rumiantsev told the court that this was an expression and that he was "trying to make her understand what she was doing was unreasonable." He further commented, "Maybe that's why I answered the call [from Barron Trump]. I probably wouldn't behave like that in front of other people, especially Barron Trump."
Background and Evidence
Rumiantsev, who resides in east London, described the woman as being in a "hysterical state" during the call with Trump. He claimed his intent was to make her "understand what she was doing was wrong." The court had previously reviewed a transcript of the emergency call made by Barron Trump, in which he informed the operator that he had met the alleged victim on social media.
In an email to police, Barron Trump noted that he "didn't expect her to pick up due to the time difference." He recounted, "The phone was picked up. The individual who answered was a shirtless man with darkish hair. This view lasted maybe one second … then the view flipped to the victim."
Legal Context and Denials
Matvei Rumiantsev continues to deny all charges, including assault and the two counts of rape. The case highlights complex issues of digital communication and international connections in criminal proceedings. As the trial progresses, further details are expected to emerge regarding the interactions between the parties involved and the evidence presented.
The involvement of a high-profile figure like Barron Trump adds a layer of public interest to this serious legal matter, underscoring the broader implications for how such cases are handled in the UK justice system.
