Andrew Tate's Ex-GF Bri Stern Files for Restraining Order, Fears His Return to U.S.

2:04 PM PT -- The judge granted Bri Stern's request for a temporary restraining order, and set a hearing for May 9.

1:38 PM PT -- Sources connected to Bri Stern tell TMZ ... She's been receiving threats from people who are clearly tracking her location while she's been traveling.

Meanwhile, Andrew Tate's attorney Joseph McBride says, "We have interviewed dozens of Ms. Stern’s acquaintances over the past few weeks. We have learned that Bri Stern is an attention-starved OnlyFans model who can barely combine two sentences. People have lined up to tell us how bad a person she is, including two ex-boyfriends against whom she has made similar, meritless accusations."

He adds, "Tony Buzbee (Bri's attorney) understands what dealing with this kind of nonsense is like. Not long ago, a woman accused him of misconduct; here is his response: 'This person has previously made the same outrageous claims against two other men. She isn’t credible and her claims are ridiculous. This case will be dismissed.' I rest my case."

Tony Buzbee tells TMZ ... "Joseph McBride is a fool. I don’t waste my time responding to fools. Bri stern is a hero. All alleged victims should admire her courage. Any attempts to attack or intimidate her won’t be tolerated."

Andrew Tate's ex-girlfriend, Bri Stern, says she's in a race against time ... and fears what will happen to her when the controversial influencer returns to U.S. soil.

Bri filed a request for a domestic violence restraining order Friday in L.A. County Superior Court ... and in the docs, she says it's essential she get it while Tate is in Romania dealing with his legal issues in that country.

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Bri says Tate could be back in the States "in a matter of hours" and she's terrified because "he is violent." While they were together, Bri claims Tate repeatedly told her, "If you ever betray me you will regret it and I will ruin, your life, rape you ... and kill you."

TMZ broke the story ... Bri filed a lawsuit against Tate last month, alleging he beat her up during a sexual encounter at the Beverly Hills Hotel. She also reported that to police, and they're now investigating Tate.

In the new docs, she says she's feared for her life every day since filing that lawsuit.

The restraining order would require Tate to stay 100 yards away from Bri at all times, and have no contact -- in person or electronically -- with her.