A 19-year-old British woman, eight months pregnant, is awaiting sentencing in a Georgian prison on drug smuggling charges. Bella Culley, originally from Billingham, was arrested in May after 12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish were discovered in her luggage at Tbilisi International Airport. Her family has paid a substantial sum of £137,000 to reduce her sentence, but her journey through the Georgian justice system has been fraught with hardship.
Initially held in dire conditions at Rustavi Prison Number Five, Culley reportedly endured a cell with only a basic toilet, limited outdoor access, and infrequent communal showers. Her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, revealed that Culley had resorted to cooking pasta in a kettle and toasting bread over a candle flame. However, a recent transfer to a ‘mother and baby’ unit has brought some improvement, with better sanitary facilities and the opportunity to cook for herself and others.
Despite the improved conditions, the case highlights Georgia’s stringent drug laws and its prevalent use of plea bargaining. Legal experts note that the severity of sentences incentivizes defendants to accept plea deals, often leading to reduced sentences in exchange for a guilty plea. Culley’s lawyer alleges she was coerced and tortured by gangsters, leading to a separate police investigation into these claims.
Culley’s case has drawn attention to the strict drug enforcement policies in Georgia, particularly following a change in government that prioritized tackling drug-related crimes. The significant amount of drugs involved, coupled with the political climate, likely contributed to the severity of the charges she faced.
Her family’s efforts to secure her release include not only the financial payment but also an appeal to the President of Georgia for a pardon, a possibility that offers a glimmer of hope. The legal team is also exploring provisions in Georgian law that may allow for the early release of mothers with young children. As Culley awaits her final sentencing, her family continues to provide support and work towards bringing her and her unborn child home.