Bloggers Andrew and Tristan Tate were arrested in Miami at the request of the United Kingdom. British prosecutors have filed dozens of new charges against the brothers and initiated extradition proceedings, according to infohub.kz.
Andrew Tate faces seven new charges of rape, as well as human trafficking for sexual exploitation and possession of indecent images of minors. Tristan Tate is accused of two counts of rape and three counts of organizing human trafficking for sexual exploitation.
The total number of charges against the brothers has risen from 21 to 59 within days of their arrest on July 19.
Prosecutors said the new charges followed the receipt of additional evidence. British authorities said the number of alleged victims in the case has increased to seven.
“The decisions to bring the new charges were made after receiving a further package of evidence from Bedfordshire Police. As a result, the total number of alleged victims in the case has reached seven,” said Malcolm McHaffie, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime Division.
The U.S. Marshals Service also confirmed that the brothers have been taken into custody as part of the extradition process. British authorities now intend to seek their surrender.
The Tate brothers deny all allegations. Their lawyer, Joseph McBride, called the new charges “a political attack” and expressed confidence that the court would release them.