Pregnant Bella Culley, who is facing drug smuggling charges, may be released from imprisonment before her delivery, as per information obtained by a news outlet. Despite reaching a plea agreement that will result in a two-year jail sentence, the 19-year-old British woman is anticipating giving birth in December. Her family has already paid a substantial amount to the court in Tbilisi, where she is currently held.
There are uncertainties regarding whether Culley will serve her full sentence in a local women’s prison or potentially be placed under house arrest or extradited to the UK for imprisonment. Her legal representatives are considering the option of seeking a presidential pardon to secure her immediate departure from Georgia.
If the presidential pardon attempt is unsuccessful, sources suggest that Culley might still be granted parole due to her pregnancy and good conduct during her time in custody. In the event of no successful release attempts, it is anticipated that Culley will be transferred to a nearby hospital to deliver her baby before being provided with special accommodations within the detention facility to care for her child.
During a recent court session, Culley, donning a grey sleeveless cardigan and pink t-shirt with a new hairstyle, reacted with surprise upon learning details of the plea deal but later appeared cheerful, waving at her mother present in the courtroom. The amount of fine paid by Culley’s family is believed to influence the duration of her sentence, with the prospect of sentence annulment based on the sum contributed.
Following the court proceedings, Culley’s mother expressed that the court demanded a higher sum than what was paid for her daughter’s release, indicating the substantial financial challenge faced by the family. The prosecutor confirmed the completion of the plea bargain, while Culley’s lawyer affirmed the readiness of all relevant parties for the final verdict.
Despite a request for bail made by Culley’s legal counsel, the judge denied the motion citing insufficient legal grounds for altering her confinement conditions. Culley’s lawyer emphasized her cooperation and guilty plea in the case, advocating for her release on bail considering her advanced pregnancy.
Culley, a student nurse from Billingham, Teesside, was reported missing in Thailand before being apprehended in Georgia with a significant quantity of cannabis in her possession. She alleged that she was coerced into drug trafficking under threats and torture by criminal elements. Her lawyer reassured the media that Culley’s pregnancy is progressing well and that she will have the opportunity to bond with her child post-delivery.