Bella Culleya 19-year-old from Teesside, Englandis detained in a women’s prison near Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, a country that until 1991 was part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).
The nursing student, who disappeared during a trip to Pattaya, Thailand, in May, was arrested after the discovery of 11 kilograms of cannabis and more than 400 grams of hashish in your luggage. She has now been in pretrial detention for five months and is expected to give birth to her son in December.
During a hearing in July, Bella declared herself a victim of torture and extortion. He stated in court that it was forced to traffic drugs by a drug gang.
«I didn’t want to do this. I was forced to do this through torture. I just wanted to travel. I am a good person. I am a university student. I am a clean person. «I don’t use drugs,» he said, according to the BBC.
Bella maintained that the criminals They branded her with a hot iron y they forced her to watch a video of a man being beheaded. The threat was direct and devastating: if he refused to cooperate, his family would be beheaded.
During a hearing, she claimed that she was forced to traffic drugs by a drug gang. Photo: FacebookDespite the guilty plea and cooperation with the investigation, which culminated in a plea agreement that foresees a two-year prison sentenceBella’s immediate release is a possibility.
Bella’s mother, Lyanne Kennedyand his father, Niel Culleypaid £138,000 to the Tbilisi court for release. However, the amount was not enough to cancel the prison time, as had been initially proposed.
Bella’s mother, Lyanne, confirmed thatThe court demanded a much larger sumof 220,000 pounds. Lyanne stated that while prosecutors «gave in» on the amount, they were «still» unable to «collect that amount.»
Bella’s defense, led by her lawyer Malkhaz Salakaiais exploring all possible avenues to prevent the young woman from giving birth in prison. One option is to seek a presidential pardon, which, if granted, would see her leave Georgia immediately.
Even if this fails, your advanced pregnancy and good behavior since his incarceration could facilitate a release on parole.
Bella’s defense in court
During the recent hearing at the Tbilisi City Court, lawyer Salakaia requested that his client be released on bail before the final sentencing, citing her advanced state of pregnancy.
According to Mirrorthe judge Giorgi Gelashvili denied the request, arguing that there were no legal reasons to modify his detention conditions. «Will I be able to take the baby with me if I go back to jail?» Bella asked in court. Her lawyer reassured her that «no one is going to take the baby away from her.»
Bella’s mother Lyanne Kennedy looks for a way to free her daughter and take her back home. Photo: AP/Zurab Tsertsvadze.The English media indicated that, if the efforts for freedom fail, Bella will be transferred from jail to a nearby hospital for delivery. Afterwards, she would be allowed to raise her child in a «separate special room» within custody, set up for her and the baby’s needs. The formal sentence will be handed down next week.
Attorney Salakaia confirmed that, despite the legal stress, «Bella is fine, her pregnancy is going well,» and «she will be able to communicate with the baby once she gives birth.»
