Social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate appeared in a Miami federal court on Monday to fight extradition to the United Kingdom, following their arrest on rape and human trafficking charges.
The brothers were detained on Saturday in the United States after British prosecutors brought charges involving four new alleged victims.
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The allegations, spanning from 2010 to 2017, cover rape, sexual assault, trafficking, and offenses involving indecent images of a child.
Court Proceedings and Defense Response
US Magistrate Lauren Louis scheduled a follow-up hearing for next Monday.
A US district judge will subsequently evaluate whether the dual US-British citizens fulfill the statutory requirements for extradition.
The defense team vehemently rejected the allegations after the brothers appeared in court in handcuffs and tan jail uniforms.
Attorney Joseph McBride described the charges as "filth and slander."
McBride added on Sunday that he felt confident the court would deny the extradition request.
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He criticized the legal action, believing the arrests were "greenlighted by a low-level functionary."
Federal authorities contradicted that characterization.
The Department of Justice clarified to the Associated Press that senior leadership within its criminal division formally approved the arrest warrants.
The brothers were already facing prior legal charges in the UK from three alleged victims between 2012 and 2015.
Additionally, they were arrested in Romania in 2022 over sexual exploitation allegations before being allowed to leave for Florida last year.
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They have consistently maintained their innocence across all jurisdictions.
