Latest news with #TbilisiInternationalAirport
News18
5 days ago
- News18
This Gorgeous European Country Allows Tourists Without A Schengen Visa
This stunning European spot might just be your next travel fix. The best part? You don't need a Schengen visa to visit. When you think of a European holiday, the first countries that usually pop up are France, Italy, Greece, or Switzerland. But there is a lesser-known gem waiting to be explored. The best part? You don't even need a Schengen visa to visit the place. We are talking about Georgia, a beautiful country located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. Known for its rich culture, stunning views, and delicious cuisine, Georgia is now making headlines as an easy destination for Indian travellers. Indians don't need a Schengen visa to visit Georgia if they already have a valid visa or residence permit for the US, UK, UAE, or any Schengen country. Some categories may also get a visa-on-arrival or apply for an e-visa. So, visiting this paradise is easier than you think. Why You Should Visit Georgia Whether you are into nature, history, food, or wine, Georgia has something for everyone. And all of it comes without the usual crowds and high prices seen in Western Europe. Tbilisi, the capital, is full of charm. You can find a mix of old buildings with wooden balconies, cute cafés, tiny shops, and ancient churches in the city. Walking through its streets feels like stepping into a fairytale. Georgia is known as the birthplace of wine, with historical evidence of making the beverage dating back 8,000 years. Visit the Kakheti region to explore vineyards, enjoy local food, and try traditional wines like Saperavi and Kindzmarauli. If you love mountains, don't miss Gudauri or Stepantsminda. These places offer amazing views, peaceful vibes, and activities like hiking or skiing. It is a nature lover's dream come true. Europe On A Budget Georgia gives you a true European feel at nearly half the price. Food, hotels, transport, and sightseeing are all budget-friendly. You can enjoy a filling meal and wine for under Rs 500. How To Reach Georgia? Fly into Tbilisi International Airport for the easiest entry. But before you plan your trip, always check the latest visa rules on Georgia's official government website. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
ITV News
24-07-2025
- ITV News
Pregnant teen Bella May Culley appears in Georgia court on drug charges as baby's gender revealed
A pregnant British teenager charged with drug trafficking has appeared in court in Georgia in Eastern Europe where the gender of her baby was revealed. Bella May Culley, from Billingham, was denied bail at the hearing on Thursday (24 July) in Tbilisi which was told the 18-year-old found out yesterday that she was expecting a baby boy. She is accused of drug trafficking, which carries up to 20 years, or life imprisonment, after being arrested in May. Culley denies the offence and her defence told the court that she maintains she was forced into cooperation. They cited a mark on her wrist as evidence of physical abuse while the lawyer claimed that the criminals were intimidating her by threatening the lives of her young brother and mother. Georgian authorities released this footage which they say said in May showed a British citizen being led into a police station It is also their case that she was not the one who checked in the bag containing drugs and that Culley tried communicating with the airport staff but she was being watched. The defence team has handed over names, addresses and descriptions of the individuals who they claim forced her to commit the crimes, the court heard. She was told that somebody would meet her at the airport to grab the bag but the lawyer claims that those involved have already left Georgia. Culley herself spoke briefly during the hearing, which was also attended by her mother who made a heart with her hands. 'Gamarjoba (Hello in Georgian), she said. "I hope you can understand my story through my eyes. "I never thought something like that would happen to me. Madloba. (Thank you in Georgian).' Culley was reported missing in Thailand. An appeal for information was then shared on Facebook by her family and friends. They said they were "worried sick" after not hearing from her for three days and said she had last been seen in the Pattya area of the country where she had been on holiday. It was then confirmed on 14 May that a British citizen had been arrested on charges of drug trafficking by the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs. It said she was "charged with illegally purchasing and storing a particularly large amount of narcotics, illegally purchasing and storing the narcotic drug marijuana, and illegally importing it into Georgia". The statement also said: 'Law enforcement officers, as a result of defendant's luggage inspection at Tbilisi International Airport, seized a particularly large amount of the narcotic drug "marijuana", up to 12 kilograms and 2.068 kg of the narcotic drug "hashish" as evidence.' At the hearing today, Culley began to cry as the prosecution said there was no new evidence changing the state of her case. They added that without her being detained, she posed a flight risk and was at danger of repeating offences. The case was adjourned until Tuesday 2 September.
Daily Mirror
24-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Pregnant ‘drug mule' Bella Culley pleads with court as baby's gender revealed
Bella Culley, 19 and facing life behind bars, told a Georgia court: "I hope you understand my story through my eyes. I never thought something like this would happen to me." Pregnant Brit 'drug mule' Bella Culley has issued a plea to see her story 'through my eyes' – as it emerged she is due to have a boy. The teenager is facing life behind bars in Georgia after allegedly taking cannabis into the country. At a hearing today Bella – who has previously claimed to have been forced by torture – told the judge: 'I hope you understand my story through my eyes. I never thought something like this would happen to me.' The 19-year-old, whose mum Lyanne was also in the courtroom in the country's capital Tbilisi, then said 'thank you' in Georgian. It was revealed in the courtroom that Bella recently underwent medical tests and is due to have a boy – with her emotional mum later saying outside about her daughter: 'She's feeling pregnant.' And as she left the courtroom, Bella's mum also reportedly told her: 'I'll come and see you tomorrow, I love you.' Prosecutor Vakhtang Tsalughelashvili had told the court that the crime was 'heavy'. But defence lawyer Malkhaz Salakia said there was no evidence it was committed on purpose. The prosecutor said there was no new evidence from the defence to set Bella free and she should stay in prison given there is a chance of her committing the crime again. Defence lawyer Mr Salakia said: 'Bella will become a mother soon, she is expecting a boy. I want her to feel this motherhood in freedom. It's a moment of her becoming a mother for the first time in her life – she turned 19 this June. Since the crime committed is not connected to Georgia, and her family has been here – father before and now the mother is here – they are here to look after her, and there is no possibility of influencing the witnesses because they are police and officials. 'She can be assigned to visit the police department two times per month or everyday, however the judge decides – she will fulfil her duty. It's summer, and a pregnant woman needs special hygiene in the month of July – we are offering a plea agreement of 50,000 [Georgian Lari], which will be paid immediately and we ask her immediately to be set free.' But the judge, Giorgi Gelashvili, concluded that no new evidence had been introduced from the defence side – except that it's hot in prison – to change the previous decision, so Bella would stay in prison. Another hearing in the case is scheduled for early September. The judge explained that if there is a plea agreement then an earlier date could be set. Bella, from Billingham, Teesside, vanished in Thailand before turning up in Georgia where she was arrested at Tbilisi International Airport in May. She has been accused of taking cannabis and hashish into the country. Outside court, Bella's lawyer said his client was physically feeling OK.
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Dad's powerful two-word message for pregnant Brit teen at drug smuggling hearing
Bella May Culley, 19, faces 20 years to life imprisonment should she be convicted of smuggling large amounts of marijuana and hashish into the country of Georgia Bella May Culley's dad has given a two-word message of support to his pregnant daughter as she appeared in court today over drug smuggling charges. Culley, 19, from Billingham, Teesside, appeared at Georgia's Tbilisi City Court for a brief hearing after she previously denied charges of possession and smuggling large amounts of marijuana and hashish into the country. The trial began at the court where it was heard there were issues relating to evidence that might have to be resolved. She remained silent as the charges were read out. Her dad, who was also in court, told his daughter to "stay strong." Culley faces upwards of 20 years behind bars or even life imprisonment should she be convicted. The upcoming hearing is slated for July 24. Mr Malkhaz Salakaia, who represented Culley, said there was a possibility both sides could come to an agreement to close the case on July 24, according to the BBC. Culley was first reported missing in Thailand before she was located and arrested in Tbilisi International Airport on May 10. She has been held in prison for 61 days as the prosecution investigation where the 26lbs of marijuana and 4.4lbs of hashish came from. They are also investigating whether she intended to hand it over to someone else. Culley previously claimed she was "forced to do this through torture." She added: "I just want to travel. I am a good person. I am a student at university. I am a clean person. I don't do drugs." Mr Salakaia said his client was tortured with a hot iron being placed on her right arm by a criminal group that gave her the drugs. She approached a policeman to seek help but he turned out to be affiliated with the gang, the lawyer told the court. Culley claimed she attempted to seek help from Thai customs staff and that the drugs had been put into a bag and stored in the hold of a plane on her behalf. Thai authorities have slammed Culley's claims and they said CCTV images from the airport showed her passing calmly through airport checks without flagging down anyone for help or showing any unusual behaviour. Lieutenant General Choengron Rimpadee said "there is absolutely no factual basis to her claims" while presenting airport CCTV footage showing Culley walking normally through passport control at the Thai airport. It is understood that Culley arrived in Tbilisi on a flight from Sharjah, located in the United Arab Emirates. A Georgian police spokesperson said she was arrested as part of a joint operation between several departments.
Metro
07-07-2025
- Metro
New CCTV emerges as Thai police rubbish Bella Culley's drug torture claims
A Thai police chief has disputed Bella May Culley's defence that she was tortured into smuggling drugs as he presented CCTV of her 'calmly' walking through passport control by herself. Bella Culley, 19, from Billingham, County Durham, faces life in Georgian prison after being arrested at Tbilisi International Airport on May 10 for allegedly smuggling a large amount of illegal drugs in her suitcase from Thailand. Her lawyer, Mr Malkhaz Salakaia, said Bella, from Billingham, County Durham, had been threatened with a hot iron to force her into trafficking 12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish. But Lieutenant General Choengron Rimpadee said that 'there is absolutely no factual basis to her claims' while presenting airport CCTV footage showing Bella walking through passport control at Suvarnabhumi Airport. He added: 'There is no evidence whatsoever that any immigration or police officers forced or threatened the suspect to smuggle drugs out of the country.' It came after the teenager broke down in tears at Tbilisi City Court, as she pleaded not guilty to charges of possession and trafficking illegal drugs. Bella, who is 18 weeks pregnant, showed her scarred wrist to the court, telling the judge: 'I did not want to do this. I was forced to do this through torture. 'I just wanted to travel. I am a good person. I am a student at university. I am a clean person. I don't do drugs.' Mr Salakia said the teenager was not aware of what was in her luggage and she had allegedly tried to approach a policeman for help but he was part of the criminal group too. He said: 'She was instructed to fly to Georgia – she did not even know where Georgia was located geographically.' He claimed his client was told she would be met by people in Tbilisi airport but she was instead intercepted by a customs officer. Culley was detained for 52 days while prosecutors investigated the origins of 12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish found in her travel bag. Judge Lela Kalichenko has denied her bail, with the next hearing scheduled for July 10. MORE: Boy, 8, found being raised by dogs and can only communicate by barking MORE: NHS opens first ketamine clinic for children as young as 12 MORE: British man reported missing in Cambodia found in jail accused of drug smuggling
