Social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate have begun fighting extradition to Britain, appearing before a federal magistrate in Miami, where a ruling is expected on whether they should be sent to the UK to stand trial on rape, sex trafficking, and dozens of other criminal charges.
The brothers were arrested in Florida on Saturday at Britain’s request and remain in federal custody. In court on Monday, the pair wore light brown prison uniforms and were handcuffed and shackled at the waist and ankles. A US district judge will determine whether the legal requirements for extradition have been met, with the next hearing scheduled for July 27.
Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on Sunday announced a raft of additional charges involving four more complainants, bringing the total number of alleged victims to seven and the combined number of charges against the brothers to 59.
Andrew Tate, 39, faces allegations including rape, arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation, assault, offenses involving indecent images of children, and extreme pornography. Tristan Tate, 38, has been charged with rape, sexual assault, and trafficking-related offenses. The alleged offenses date from 2010 to 2017. Both brothers deny all wrongdoing.
Their lawyer, Joseph McBride, said they would vigorously contest extradition, describing the British case as politically motivated and dismissing the allegations as “garbage” and “a stitch up job.”
Andrew Tate, a former kickboxing champion and dual British-US citizen, built a global following by promoting a lifestyle centered on wealth, hyper-masculinity, and traditional gender roles. His videos amassed millions of followers while drawing widespread criticism for misogynistic content, leading several major social media platforms to suspend his accounts, although many were later reinstated.
The brothers are also under criminal investigation in Romania over similar allegations, which they also deny. Although Romanian courts have lifted their travel restrictions and other preventive measures, the investigations remain ongoing.
RT News
