A US court in Miami has denied a request by Andrew and Tristan Tate to have their extradition cases heard together, setting separate hearing dates for the brothers who face rape and sex trafficking charges in the UK.
Andrew Tate’s hearing will take place on November 19 and Tristan’s on November 20, according to their lawyer. Before those dates, both sides will brief the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Court rejects consolidation request
The US government opposed the consolidation of the cases, stating in a court filing: “Separate hearings are preferred to avoid confusion between the facts and evidence supporting each independent extradition request.”
Magistrate judge Lauren Louis supported this position, ruling: “Given the differences between the extradition requests and the individualised nature of the court’s inquiry, separate hearings will better facilitate the determination of each respondent’s extradition status. Accordingly, the motion to consolidate cases is denied.”
Detention and legal challenge
The timetable of proceedings came as the Tates launched a legal challenge against their continued detention during the extradition process. The former professional kickboxers, who hold dual US and British citizenship, have been held in custody since their arrest in July, following further charges brought against them by UK prosecutors.
A bid by the Tates to be freed on bail was rejected last month, but they have now petitioned the court in a fresh attempt to secure their release. Earlier this week, court documents were released setting out the prosecution case against the men.
Charges and allegations
UK investigators allege the pair groomed vulnerable women using a “lover boy” model of exploitation before forcing them into creating online pornography through threats and violence.
Andrew Tate, 39, faces a series of charges in the UK, including 10 counts of rape, three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation and three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He is also accused of making and distributing indecent images of a child and possessing extreme pornography.
Charges against Tristan Tate, 38, include five counts of rape, six counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, three counts of sex trafficking and a sexual assault. The alleged offences are said to have occurred between July 2010 and August 2017. Both men deny any wrongdoing.
