MIAMI (AP) — A federal judge will consider Thursday whether social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate should remain in custody as they challenge their extradition to face rape and sex trafficking charges in the United Kingdom. The Tates have remained in a federal detention center in Miami since making a brief court appearance after their July 18 arrest. Their attorneys have argued that their high profile and active social media presence makes it nearly impossible for them to flee.U.S. Magistrate Lauren Louis will have a chance to question their defense and prosecutors before determining if the brothers, who have repeatedly denied wrongdoing, should be released during what could be a monthslong extradition process.The Tates have become among the world’s most polarizing internet personalities by promoting wealth, male dominance and misogyny through their social media empire. The new allegations are the latest in the Tates’ long-running international legal saga spanning the U.S., Britain and Romania. No date for an extradition hearing has been set. The U.K. has until mid-September to provide evidence to the State Department.
Defense claims government hasn’t shown Tates are a flight riskFederal prosecutors have urged the court to keep the brothers in custody, citing the strong presumption against bail in international extradition cases. The Tates’ claims of having multiple passports and access to wealth and influence in numerous countries demonstrate a heightened risk of flight that no amount of bond could overcome, prosecutors argued.
