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Pregnant British Teen Bella Culley Freed in Georgia After Plea Deal Credits Time Served

Officials applied Georgia’s financial-plea system, crediting her custody period after a 500,000 lari payment.

Overview

  • Culley, 19, was found guilty in Tbilisi and sentenced to five months and 25 days, matching her time already in custody, and was released on Monday.
  • Prosecutor Vakhtang Tsalughelashvili said mitigating factors included her age, pregnancy, cooperation and behavior during the investigation.
  • Her lawyer said she will receive her passport and is free to leave Georgia following the court’s decision.
  • She was arrested at Tbilisi Airport on May 10 after authorities found about 12 kg of marijuana and 2 kg of hashish in her luggage.
  • During detention she alleged she was coerced and tortured by criminals in Thailand, and was moved from Rustavi Prison to a mother-and-baby unit shortly before sentencing.