The video shows Andrew Tate trying to hand the cellphone to his bodyguard.
A video circulating online appears to show controversial influencer Andrew Tate trying to pass his cellphone to a member of his entourage moments after he was arrested by US Marshals in Miami.In the footage, the 39-year-old can be seen apparently handing the device to a member of his team, who drops it before someone else retrieves it. It remains unclear whether US authorities eventually recovered the phone after the arrest.
Related arrest Request for extradition to the United Kingdom
Andrew Tate and his younger brother Tristan Tate, 38, were taken into custody in Miami on Saturday by the U.S. Marshals Service. The arrests were made at the request of the British authorities, who are seeking the extradition of the brothers to face criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom.The US Marshals Service confirmed the arrests but has not publicly disclosed the charges, with the arrest warrant remaining confidential.
New charges filed in Britain
The arrests came after the British Public Prosecution allowed a new set of charges to be brought against the brothers.Andrew Tate was charged with an additional seven counts of rape, along with offenses relating to sex trafficking and indecent images of a child.Before the latest accusations, he was already facing charges including rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain.
Tristan Tate was charged with an additional two counts of rape and three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation. He was already facing charges including rape, actual bodily harm and human trafficking.The brothers now face dozens of charges linked to several of the alleged victims. They denied all the accusations against them.
Romania’s case is still ongoing
The Tate brothers, who have lived in Romania since 2016, are also under a separate criminal investigation there over allegations including rape, human trafficking, organized crime and money laundering.
They have denied any wrongdoing in this case as well.The Romanian authorities had previously indicated that they would not extradite the brothers to the United Kingdom until the end of local legal procedures. British prosecutors then moved to pursue proceedings after they learned that the brothers had traveled to the United States.
Lawyer describes the arrest as “political”
The brothers’ lawyer, Joseph D., described McBride, the arrests were politically motivated, claiming they were the result of an abuse of power.He said the defense was confident the brothers would successfully appeal the case, and said the United States should not be carrying out what he called Britain’s “dirty political work.”British authorities are expected to submit a formal extradition request, which the Tate brothers, who hold dual British and American citizenship, can appeal in American courts.