Bella Culley freed from Georgian prison

Bella Culley freed from Georgian prison

Bella Culley, a pregnant teenager from Billingham, Teesside, who was facing drug trafficking charges in Georgia, expressed her happiness and relief as she was released from prison. Initially, the 19-year-old was potentially looking at a 20-year sentence, but a last-minute adjustment to a plea deal by prosecutors changed the outcome. In a surprising turn of events, she was freed after prosecutors reconsidered her case due to her age and pregnancy.

The young woman, who was arrested on 10 May at Tbilisi International Airport with 12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish in her luggage, was visibly elated upon hearing the news in court in Tbilisi. Hugging her lawyer, Malkhaz Salakaia, Miss Culley thanked him for his efforts. Outside the courtroom, she walked arm-in-arm with her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, sharing her disbelief at the sudden turn of events.

With a newly granted freedom, Miss Culley is set to receive her passport and depart from Georgia on Monday. During the court proceedings, she admitted guilt to the charge of drug trafficking, leading to her release. Despite not expecting to be freed that day, the teenager expressed her gratitude with a smile as she looked towards her emotional mother. The joyous moment culminated in a heartfelt embrace between the mother-daughter duo as they left the court premises.

Negotiations between Bella Culley’s legal team and Georgian authorities have been ongoing, with further details yet to be disclosed. Previously, her family had paid a hefty sum to reduce her potential sentence to two years, underscoring their unwavering support throughout this challenging ordeal

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