A pregnant British teenager detained in Georgia on drug-smuggling charges has reportedly been told she can secure her release by paying a substantial fine. Bella Culley, 19, from Billingham, Teesside, has been held for over three months after being accused of attempting to bring 14kg of cannabis into the country in a travel bag.
During a court appearance on Tuesday, the judge was informed that defence and prosecution teams had been negotiating a plea agreement. The deal would involve Culley paying a sum with 'many zeros' in Georgian lari (approximately £1 to ₾3.60) in exchange for her freedom. However, the prosecutor argued that Culley posed a flight risk and could reoffend if granted bail.
Judge Giorgi Gelashvili ruled that Culley must remain in custody until the next hearing on 9 October, unless an agreement is reached sooner. Culley faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. She was arrested in Tbilisi in May after going missing during a holiday in Thailand. She celebrated her 19th birthday in prison and is expecting a baby boy.
The Foreign Office has stated it is supporting the family of the detained British woman. Cleveland Police confirmed that an 18-year-old woman from Billingham was arrested in Georgia on suspicion of drug offences in May.
