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Pregnant British woman in Georgia: 2 years in prison for drug trafficking!
Bella Culley, 19, was convicted of drug trafficking in Georgia on November 3, 2025. Her case raises questions about prison conditions and torture.
Pregnant British woman in Georgia: 2 years in prison for drug trafficking!
A tragic fate befell 19-year-old Bella May Culley from the United Kingdom in faraway Georgia. She has been behind bars since May after she was arrested at Tbilisi International Airport. Authorities say Culley attempted to smuggle 12 kilograms of marijuana and 2 kilograms of hashish into the country from Thailand.
Like the reporting from Ladbible shows, Culley now faces a possible sentence of two years in prison. She originally could have spent up to 20 years in prison, but a settlement with Georgian authorities could reduce her sentence. Culley's family was forced to raise over $180,000, approximately 500,000 lari, to reduce the sentence. Despite all efforts, the total of £215,000 could not be raised, which is expected to result in a reduced sentence.
Pregnancy in custody
Culley finds herself in a particularly delicate situation because she is eight months pregnant. How WRAL Reportedly, she is expected to give birth in custody. After five months in a notorious prison where she had to contend with extreme conditions — just an hour of fresh air a day and rudimentary sanitation — she was moved to a special “mother and baby” unit. There she now has access to a kitchen and can cook for herself, which significantly improves her circumstances.
Culley has also decided to learn Georgian and is already allowed to drop off baby clothes for her baby. This gives her the opportunity to prepare for the upcoming birth despite the adverse circumstances. Her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, travels regularly between the UK and Georgia to support her daughter.
allegations and investigations
Culley's situation is further complicated by her serious allegations that she was tortured into taking drugs. Upon her arrival in Georgia, she showed visible physical signs of ill-treatment. This has also prompted Georgian police to launch a separate investigation to investigate these claims. Her lawyer, Malkhaz Salakhaia, is optimistic and plans to request a pardon from the President of Georgia after the agreement regarding her sentence is reached Day24 further reported.
Culley's final sentence is due to be announced on November 3, but it remains unclear whether she will have to serve the full two years in Tbilisi or whether a release to house arrest or even a return to the UK is possible. In the midst of these chaotic circumstances, hope for a mild solution remains.