TBILISI, Georgia — Bella May Culley, a 19-year-old British teenager who was arrested in Georgia earlier this year on drug smuggling charges, was released from prison on Monday following a plea deal. Culley, who is pregnant, was detained in May at Tbilisi Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle 12 kilograms of marijuana and 2 kilograms of hashish into the country. On Monday, a Georgian court found her guilty and sentenced her to five months and 25 days in prison, equivalent to the time she had already served in custody. As part of the plea agreement, her family paid a fine of 500,000 lari (approximately $184,000).
Culley and her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, were visibly emotional during the court proceedings, embracing each other after the verdict was announced. Georgian prosecutors had initially considered a two-year prison sentence but opted to account for the time Culley had already served. Case prosecutor Vakhtang Tsalughelashvili stated that the decision was influenced by Culley’s confession, her age, and her pregnancy.
Culley’s lawyer, Malkhaz Salakhaia, confirmed that she would be allowed to leave the country and regain her passport. Salakhaia praised the court’s decision, emphasizing that Culley had been sincere throughout the investigation. The teenager had initially faced a potential sentence of up to 15 years or life imprisonment under Georgian law. However, the country’s legal system permits financial plea agreements in certain cases, particularly those involving drug-related offenses.
Prior to her arrest in Georgia on May 10, Culley had been reported missing in Thailand. She claimed she was tortured in Thailand and coerced into carrying the drugs. Salakhaia noted that Culley displayed visible signs of physical abuse upon her arrival in Georgia. The case has drawn significant attention due to its international implications and the unusual circumstances surrounding Culley’s involvement.