Who is Andrew Tate? In Florida on 18 July, he and Tristan Tate asked a court to release them from jail while they fight extradition to the UK on rape and trafficking charges. The request puts their custody status back in play while US Magistrate Judge Lauren Louis prepares a written ruling.
Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate in Florida
Andrew Tate, 39, told the court he has “never committed the crimes I’m accused of.” Tristan Tate, 38, said the jail conditions were small and hot, with little sunlight and exercise, and said he had lost 14lb. He also told the court, “It’s beginning to grate on me because I can’t partake in helping with my defence,” and, “It’s death by scurvy,” according to CBS News.
The brothers were arrested in Miami on 18 July. US authorities took them into custody last month after the Crown Prosecution Service unveiled dozens of new charges, and the British Embassy filed court documents asking the judge to keep them in custody as the UK pursues extradition. Judge Lauren Louis will issue a written ruling later on whether to grant bail.
Custody fight and flight risk
The defense says the brothers complied with release terms while fighting the UK charges and the case in Romania, and their lawyers argued that their high profile makes it almost impossible for them to flee. Government lawyers pushed back and said the two are a flight risk.
Andrew Tate also told the court he had to “go back to the boxing ring against heavier, younger opponents” to support himself financially, and added, “I’ve said some stupid things, but sometimes you have to shake the internet to get noticed,” followed by, “This is the reality of the internet.”
16 September extradition deadline
The immediate question is whether Louis grants bail and lets the brothers leave custody while the extradition fight continues. The British authorities have until 16 September to submit a full extradition request, so the ruling will shape whether the case moves forward with the brothers behind bars or under release terms.
