Beirut: The lawyer for social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate accused US authorities on Monday of using the legal process against his clients as a form of punishment, as the brothers seek release from detention while fighting Britain's extradition request.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Tate brothers, who hold US and British citizenship, were arrested on July 18 and are being held in a federal prison in Miami. They are challenging Britain's efforts to extradite them to face charges of rape, assault, and facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation, which they have denied.

Speaking outside a federal courthouse in Miami, attorney Joseph McBride argued that the extradition proceedings have been used to deprive the brothers of their freedom before any conviction. McBride stated, "We have often said that the process is the punishment. American citizens, in order for your freedom to be deprived, you have to be convicted in a court of law. There are certain exceptions. The extradition proceedings is one of them."

McBride accused those pursuing legal action against the brothers of attempting to pressure them through prolonged proceedings, stating, "So the enemies of Andrew and Tristan Tate know this, and they are doing what they've always done, and they are weaponizing the court process and weaponizing the tension against them in order to get them to break."

Highlighting the potential impact of continued detention, McBride said, "Because when you put innocent men or any man in solitary confinement at a certain period of time, they begin to deteriorate, they begin to decompensate, they begin to break down, and it's never ever good." He added that they are working to get the brothers out of solitary confinement and ensure the case is handled properly.

McBride also questioned the evidence against the Tates, suggesting the accusations lack sufficient support. "So we feel good about where we're at, and unless they can provide corroboration with all these allegations that they've accused Andrew and Tristan of, then what they really have at the end of the day is a big bag of nothing," he said.

Meanwhile, Andrew Tate raised concerns about his detention conditions in a post on US social media platform X, claiming he was held in a Special Housing Unit with inadequate access to clean water. He expressed his grievances, stating, "My only water comes from the shower, warm and from a brown and filthy faucet. It has given me persistent stomach problems," while reiterating his innocence and questioning the protection of his rights.