Bella Culley’s lawyers are understood to be exploring the idea of applying for a presidential pardon, which if granted would see her immediately leave Georgia
Bella Culley, a pregnant Brit accused of drug smuggling, is hoping to be released from prison before she gives birth, the Mirror has learned.
Despite the 19-year-old agreeing to a plea deal that will result in a two-year jail sentence, her lawyers are seeking her release. Culley, who is reportedly due to give birth in December, is set to be formally sentenced next week for allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs from Thailand into Georgia.
A court in Tbilisi heard today that Culley’s family, including her mother Lyanne Kennedy, 44, and father Niel Culley, 49, an oil rig technician, have paid £138,000 to the court. It remains unclear whether she will serve her entire sentence in a women’s prison near Tbilisi, where she is currently held, or if she could be granted house arrest or extradited to the UK to serve her sentence.
However, the Mirror can reveal that Bella’s legal team are considering applying for a presidential pardon, which would allow her immediate departure from Georgia if approved, reports the Mirror.
If the bid for a presidential pardon fails, it is understood that Bella could still be released on parole prior to giving birth due to her pregnancy and good behaviour since being imprisoned.
If neither attempt at freedom succeeds, sources in Georgia suggest Bella will be moved from jail to a nearby hospital to give birth, after which she will be allowed to raise her child in prison. It is anticipated that she would be provided with a separate special room in custody to cater to her and her child’s needs.
Bella, donning a grey sleeveless cardigan and a pink T-shirt with a fresh hairstyle, seemed taken aback as the plea deal details were read out during the brief hearing at Tbilisi City Court on Tuesday. However, the teenager, who has already spent five months in jail on remand, was later seen grinning and cheerfully waving to her mum.
It had been previously suggested by Bella’s solicitor that the size of the fine paid would dictate the length of her sentence – with the potential for imprisonment to be cancelled, depending on the amount of money handed over.
Following the hearing, Bella’s mum Lyanne, a charity worker, revealed that the court demanded a higher sum than what the family paid for her daughter’s release. She disclosed: “It was a lot more!”.
When questioned about the negotiations, she further added: “They did budge [on the amount], but we still couldn’t raise that amount.”
It is believed that the court initially demanded £220,000 for Bella’s release.
Prosecutor Vakhtang Tsalugelashvili informed the court: “The plea bargain has been reached. Our conditions have been met.”
Bella’s solicitor Malkhaz Salakaia confirmed: “I can confirm. All relevant parties have been informed as well. We would like to ask the judge to schedule one final hearing to pass the final verdict.”
During the hearing, Bella’s solicitor requested that his client be granted bail ahead of the sentencing hearing, scheduled for next Monday at Tbilisi city court. However, Judge Giorgi Gelashvili dismissed the request, stating there were no legal grounds to alter Bella’s conditions.
Mr Salakaia had stated: “She pleaded guilty, fully co-operated with the investigation and the plea bargain has just been reached.”
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