Bella Culley, a British individual known as a “drug mule,” has agreed to a plea deal with Georgian authorities, ensuring a two-year jail term for her. The 19-year-old, who is currently 25 weeks pregnant, is set to receive her formal sentencing next week for her alleged involvement in an attempt to smuggle drugs into Georgia earlier this year.
During a brief session at Tbilisi City Court, it was revealed that Bella’s family, including her mother Lyanne Kennedy and her father Niel Culley, had successfully paid 500,000 Georgian Lari (£138,000) to the court. Bella, dressed in a grey sleeveless cardigan and pink t-shirt with a new hairstyle, appeared surprised as the details of the agreement were disclosed.
Although she has already spent five months in jail during remand, Bella was seen smiling and waving at her mother. Her lawyer had previously indicated that the amount of the fine paid would impact the duration of her imprisonment, possibly leading to the cancellation of jail time based on the sum paid.
Following the hearing, Bella’s mother mentioned that the court had demanded a higher sum than what the family had paid for her immediate release. The court initially required 800,000 Georgian Lari (£220,000) for Bella’s release.
Prosecutor Vakhtang Tsalugelashvili stated, “The plea bargain has been finalized, and our conditions have been met.” Bella’s lawyer, Malkhaz Salakaia, confirmed the agreement and requested a final hearing for the verdict to be passed.
Despite the lawyer’s appeal for Bella to be released on bail before the sentencing hearing, the request was denied by Judge Giorgi Gelashvili due to the absence of legal grounds for altering her conditions. The lawyer emphasized Bella’s cooperation and plea of guilt, along with her advanced pregnancy, in the plea for bail.
The question remains whether Bella will serve her entire sentence in a Tbilisi jail or potentially be placed under house arrest or extradited to the UK for imprisonment. Bella, a student nurse from Billingham, Teesside, had disappeared in Pattaya, Thailand, before being discovered in Georgia with drugs in her possession.
Claiming coercion by criminal entities who threatened her and her family, Bella stated that she was forced into drug trafficking. At a previous hearing, she stressed that torture compelled her actions against her will.
Following the court proceedings, Bella’s lawyer assured that she is in good health, and her pregnancy is progressing well. He mentioned that she would have the opportunity to bond with her baby after giving birth.
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