The British teen who was accused of trafficking £200,000 worth of cannabis had been told she could walk free on one condition.
Bella May Culley has been detained in Georgia since May this year on charges of drug trafficking.
This revelation came after the 19-year-old was initially reported missing by her family, as they had lost contact with her while she was travelling in Asia.
It turned out she had been arrested at Tbilisi International Airport, having allegedly flown in from Thailand with around 12kg of marijuana and hashish in her luggage.
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As hearings have progressed, Culley claimed to have been ‘coerced’ as it was also said she is pregnant.
Her family are out in the Eastern European country as it now looks like she might finally have a chance of returning to the UK.
The teen was due to have her trial kick off today, but it was adjourned pretty last minute, with Judge Giorgi Gelashvili noting the ‘ongoing success in negotiations’.
It’s reported that Culley’s lawyers are close to reaching success with a plea bargain, and it looks like she could be free from prison if her family pay a whopping fine.
Lawyer Malkhaz Salakaia told journalists outside: “If her family is ready to pay the sum that the state is demanding she can go straight to the airport.”
The judge said Salakaia could move the date of the next hearing ‘the very moment you reach an agreement’.
Culley’s family can’t disclose the amount, but her mum, Lyanne Kennedy, said after the hearing that it’s a ‘lot of money’ for them.
“They offered us a layered approach: this and this much to let her go immediately, and then another [lower] offer where she serves some amount,” she said. “I don’t know what to do.”
Salakaia echoed that the ‘higher the fine’, the ‘less time she will serve including a full release’, as he said that negotiations are nearly completed.
“At this moment, Bella's family isn't ready to pay the amount requested,” Salakaia said, explaining that they are negotiating the fine and time.
“It all depends on Bella's parents. The prosecution is willing to let her go on the same day the demanded amount is paid.
“We are debating and negotiating on that aspect and it’s likely that this compromise will be reached before the [next hearing on] 9th of October.”
Said to be 22 weeks pregnant, Culley previously said she was ‘forced’ to smuggle the drugs and ‘just wanted to travel’.
Jess Battison