Andrew and Tristan Tate have been refused bail by a US judge and will remain in custody in Miami while they fight extradition to the UK over allegations including rape and human trafficking.
US Magistrate Judge Lauren Louis rejected the brothers’ application on Wednesday, ruling that they had not shown they were neither a flight risk nor a danger to the community. She also found that they had failed to establish the “special circumstances” required for bail in an international extradition case.
The decision means the pair will stay at the Federal Detention Center in Miami, where they have been held since their arrest by US marshals on July 18.
Andrew and Tristan Tate remain in custody during extradition case
Prosecutors argued that the brothers had the means and connections to leave the United States if released. They pointed to their claims of substantial wealth, access to private aircraft and boats, and possession of multiple passports.
Andrew Tate has previously said online that he has seven passports and 15 driving licences. His lawyers told the court that such statements were exaggerated performances aimed at his followers, rather than an accurate account of his circumstances.
The defence offered to surrender the brothers’ passports and proposed GPS monitoring, home inspections and other restrictions. Their lawyers also argued that the pair had complied with restrictions imposed in Romania, where they face a separate criminal investigation and have denied wrongdoing.
Judge Louis was not persuaded that those measures addressed the risk involved. In her ruling, she said the brothers had “failed to demonstrate that special circumstances here warrant relief”.
The brothers gave evidence during an eight-hour hearing in Miami on August 27. Both denied the allegations against them and told the court that their provocative online personas were exaggerated characters designed for social media.
Andrew Tate, 39, and Tristan Tate, 38, said remaining in jail was making it difficult to work with lawyers and defend themselves in the Romanian proceedings. They also complained about conditions at the Miami detention centre, claims prosecutors disputed.
The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised a total of 59 charges against the brothers in the UK. The allegations, which date from 2010 to 2017, include rape, sexual assault, actual bodily harm and arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Further charges were authorised in July in relation to four additional alleged victims. The CPS said the new allegations included offences relating to indecent images of a child and extreme pornography. The brothers deny all the allegations and have not been convicted of any offence.
The CPS has said the charges are based on evidence received from Bedfordshire Police and that the total number of alleged victims in the British case is seven. It has stressed that the decision to prosecute is not a finding of guilt, which can only be determined by a court.
Romanian prosecutors also announced a new indictment on September 4. They allege that Andrew Tate had sex with two minors and that Tristan Tate helped his brother and intimidated victims. Both men deny the Romanian allegations, which also include claims of money laundering.
The UK is due to submit its formal extradition request and supporting material to the US by September 16. The brothers are currently being held under a provisional arrest complaint.
A US court will then consider whether the legal requirements for extradition have been met, including whether the relevant treaty applies and whether there is sufficient evidence to establish probable cause.
If extradition is certified, the brothers can seek judicial review and challenge the decision through the US courts. Any final certification would be sent to the US State Department, which would have the ultimate authority to decide whether they are surrendered to the UK.
