Latest news with #MissCulley
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Bella Culley not an 'adequate adult', says lawyer
A British teenager held in prison in Georgia on suspicion of drug offences has been described as "not far from childhood" by her new lawyer. Bella Culley, 18, from Billingham on Teesside, has had the first meeting with her new family-appointed lawyer Malkhaz Salakaia, who said he had to explain to her where she was geographically. She is being detained for 55 days before trial while the prosecution investigates where the 12kg (26lbs) of marijuana and 2kg (4.4lbs) of hashish found in a travel bag came from, and whether she was planning on handing it over to someone else. Mr Salakaia said Miss Culley was in "good health" but he would not describe her as an adequate adult. The lawyer, who does not speak English and specialises in juvenile law, has been communicating with his client using a translator. Their first meeting lasted two hours in prison number 5, near the town of Rustavi. Mr Salakaia said his client was in good health, did not have any complaints about the place of detention and was ready to defend herself in court. When asked whether he would describe Miss Culley as an adequate adult, his answer was "no". He said he had the impression she was "not far from childhood". During their meeting, the 18-year-old was also giving evidence to Georgian investigators. Miss Culley asked for advice about what to say and on some questions she chose to remain silent. At the previous pre-trial hearing on 13 May, Miss Culley told the court she was pregnant. Georgian Police said officers had seized marijuana and the narcotic drug hashish in a travel bag at Tbilisi International Airport. The BBC understands Ms Culley arrived in Tbilisi on a flight from Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates, on 10 May . The BBC has been told the British Embassy has advised the teenager's family not to speak to the press. Miss Culley was charged by Georgian police with illegally buying, possessing and importing large quantities of narcotics. A spokesperson said the arrest was the result of a joint operation between multiple departments and, if she was found guilty, Miss Culley could face up to 20 years in jail or life imprisonment. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Bella Culley writes letter asking to see her family British teen arrested in Georgia for drug offences What are conditions like in Bella Culley's prison?
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
British teen faces months in Georgia prison
A British teenager could spend up to nine months in a Georgian prison while she is investigated on suspicion of drug offences. Bella Culley, 18, from Billingham on Teesside, appeared at a pre-trial hearing on Tuesday and, at the end of proceedings, told the court she was pregnant. The prosecutor asked for 55 days to find evidence before the case is brought to trial and the BBC understands this could be extended by a further seven months. Miss Culley's lawyer, Ia Todua, said police wanted to establish where the drugs had come from and whether she was "planning to hand it over to someone". Miss Culley was arrested at Tbilisi, Georgia, and charged with illegally buying, possessing and importing large quantities of narcotics including marijuana. Ms Todua, who has been appointed by the state to represent the teenager, said the prosecution estimated they would need two months to gather information. The lawyer said: "They said that they had to conduct a lot of investigative activities, so that they can collect evidence, establish where it was from [the narcotics] and was she planning to hand it over to someone. "That's what they said they want to establish, and they also confiscated her phone." She added that at the end of the hearing Miss Culley "told the court that she was pregnant". The BBC understands that other lawyers had been in touch to represent Miss Culley and the British consular service has planned a meeting. The Foreign Office has confirmed that it is "supporting the family of a British woman who is detained in Georgia". Georgian Police said officers had seized up to 12kg (26lbs) of marijuana and just over 2kg (4.4lbs) of the narcotic drug hashish in a travel bag at Tbilisi International Airport. A spokesperson said the arrest was the result of a joint operation between multiple departments and, if found guilty, Miss Culley could face up to 20 years in jail or life imprisonment. Cleveland Police has confirmed an 18-year-old woman from Billingham has been arrested in Georgia "on suspicion of drugs offences" and remains in custody. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. British teen arrested in Georgia for drug offences
