A pregnant teenager from Britain, Bella May Culley, who was detained for alleged drug smuggling in Georgia, has been relocated to a specialized facility within a Georgian prison that accommodates mothers and babies, according to her mother. Culley, 19 and reportedly eight months pregnant, was apprehended at Tbilisi Airport in May for purportedly attempting to bring 12 kilograms of marijuana and two kilograms of hashish into the country.
Lyanne Kennedy, Culley’s mother, informed the BBC that her daughter has been moved to a prison with improved conditions, including access to a shower, proper toilet facilities, and two hours of outdoor time daily. Previously, Culley was held at Rustavi Prison Number Five, where she had limited amenities, such as communal showers twice a week and restricted outdoor access.
Kennedy mentioned that Culley’s living conditions have enhanced in the new prison, where she can cook in a communal kitchen, take showers in her room, and enjoy certain freedoms. The family is striving to secure Culley’s return home, emphasizing their dedication to supporting her and her unborn child.
Culley has allegedly recounted a harrowing experience in Thailand involving coercion by criminals to transport drugs. Her sentencing is expected to be revealed soon after negotiations between her legal team and Georgian authorities. As part of a plea agreement, Culley is anticipated to receive a two-year sentence, with her formal sentencing scheduled for the following day.
Prosecutor Vakhtang Tsalugelashvili confirmed that a plea deal had been reached, meeting all conditions set forth. Culley’s lawyer expressed the hope for her release on bail due to her advanced pregnancy, although the motion was denied by the court. The lawyer assured Culley that her baby would not be taken away from her, but it remains uncertain whether she will serve her sentence in Tbilisi or be extradited to the UK for potential house arrest.
The family has already paid a substantial sum toward a plea agreement aimed at minimizing Culley’s sentence, with further appeals planned to seek clemency from the Georgian president. The legal team continues to advocate for Culley’s well-being and hopes for a favorable outcome in the judicial process.