Controversial influencers Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan Tate have been arrested in the United States after British authorities issued 38 new charges against them, bringing the total to 59.

The UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Andrew Tate faces seven additional counts of rape, as well as charges related to sex trafficking and indecent images of a child. Tristan Tate is charged with two counts of rape and three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation.

The alleged offenses occurred between July 2010 and August 2017. The Tates have previously denied any wrongdoing.

Following their arrest, prosecutors will begin extradition proceedings to return the brothers, who are dual British-US citizens, to the UK, the CPS stated.

Malcolm McHaffie, Head of the Special Crime Division at the CPS, said the new charges followed receipt of a further file of evidence from Bedfordshire Police, bringing the total number of alleged victims to seven.

The US Marshals confirmed the Tates were taken into custody, with a US Department of Justice spokesperson saying the arrests were "pursuant to extradition proceedings."

Joseph McBride, a lawyer representing the Tates, described the new UK charges as a "political hit" designed to counter a defamation action filed by the brothers in the US. He claimed, "America does not do Britain's political dirty work."

Lawyer Matt Jury, who represents several alleged British victims of Andrew Tate, welcomed the charges, stating, "It is time they face justice."

Source: www.bbc.co.uk