Source : Perth Now news
Prosecutors want social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate to remain in federal custody, arguing that the brothers are a flight risk and a danger to the community, as they fight extradition to the United Kingdom, where the brothers are accused of rape and sex trafficking.
Three days after defence lawyers filed a motion for release, prosecutors filed their response in Miami federal court on Monday, where a hearing on Thursday will determine if the brothers should stay in jail or be released during what could be a months-long extradition process.
The brothers have repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
The detention hearing is likely to be the first time the Tates leave the Federal Detention Center in Miami since making a brief court appearance two days after their July 18 arrest.
The Tates have become among the world’s most polarising internet personalities with their promotion of wealth, male dominance and misogyny through their social media empire.
The new allegations are the latest in the Tates’ long-running international legal saga spanning the US, Britain and Romania.
According to the US Attorney’s Office filing, the Tates should be detained pending their extradition hearing because they cannot overcome the strong presumption against bail in international extradition cases.
The serious pending UK charges involving human trafficking and violent rapes and assaults against multiple victims, along with allegations in Romania that the Tates attempted to intimidate witnesses, present a clear public safety concern, prosecutors say.
“That the Tates also claim to maintain multiple passports and identities, have access to excessive wealth and influence in numerous countries, and are stridently unwilling to voluntarily return to face prosecution in the United Kingdom, collectively demonstrate a heightened risk of flight that no amount of bond could overcome,” the filing says.
The defence motion filed on Friday acknowledges there is a presumption against bond in extradition proceedings but argues that release can be granted in special circumstances.
It says the Tates’ high profile makes it nearly impossible for them to flee, and that they regularly post updates about their locations on social media.
The brothers have long claimed that their violent and misogynistic statements have been taken out of context or were intended as jokes.
The former professional kickboxers, who have dual US and UK citizenship, have millions of social media followers and are vocal supporters of President Donald Trump.
The White House has said the brothers should not expect any help from the president.
