Andrew and Tristan Tate will remain in jail for at least two more weeks after a US magistrate ordered them to stay in custody while they fight extradition to the United Kingdom on rape and sex trafficking allegations.
US magistrate Lauren Louis set a detention hearing for 13 August to decide whether the brothers should be released during what could be a months-long extradition process. The Tates were not required to appear in court on Monday, and have been in jail since their arrest on 18 July, two days after which they made a brief first appearance.
“Tate brothers remain in US jail until 13 August as they battle extradition to UK on rape charges.”
The social media influencers, who have millions of followers and have built a global brand around wealth, male dominance and misogyny, face accusations in Britain of rape and sex trafficking. They have repeatedly denied wrongdoing, with their attorney Joseph McBride arguing after Monday’s hearing: “They don’t have anything but the accusations. It’s just their word against our word right now.”
The UK has until mid-September to hand over all its materials to the US state department, Alejandra Lopez, a US attorney, told the court. Another lawyer for the Tates, Jackie Perczek, pointed to their record of complying with conditions in Romania, where they were earlier accused of luring women for sexual exploitation. “For three years they have not fled,” she said. “They’ve traveled the world and every month they return to Romania.”
The former professional kickboxers, who hold dual US and UK citizenship, are vocal supporters of Donald Trump. The White House has said they should expect no help from the president. McBride described the extradition attempt as politically motivated, though he offered no evidence.
The brothers’ detention hearing on 13 August will determine whether they remain behind bars until the extradition proceedings conclude, with the UK’s deadline for handing over documents adding a further layer of uncertainty to the case.
