A pregnant woman named Bella Culley is on her way back to the UK today after receiving permission to board a direct flight. The 19-year-old, previously detained in Georgia on drug smuggling charges, was released on compassionate grounds. She is accompanied by her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, on an easyJet flight scheduled to arrive at London Luton Airport at 7 pm. Culley, a resident of Billingham in Teesside, faced allegations of smuggling marijuana and hashish in her luggage at Tbilisi international airport in May.
Having spent five months in a Georgian prison, Culley shared hardships of cooking pasta in a kettle and resorting to makeshift toilet facilities. Initially facing a two-year sentence, her term was reduced to five months and 25 days following a plea deal agreement. Authorities cited her age and pregnancy as reasons for her release.
Prosecutor Vakhtang Tsalugelashvili acknowledged Culley’s cooperation and good behavior, leading to the decision to grant her freedom. Video footage captured Culley expressing relief upon leaving the court with her lawyer. Grateful for her unexpected release, she expressed her emotions to the press. When questioned about her prison conditions, Culley, prompted by her mother, declined to elaborate and swiftly moved on.
Arrangements are in place for Culley to be picked up from Luton Airport and driven back to her home in the North East.