Pregnant British ‘drug mule’ Bella Culley has been offered freedom from prison in Georgia – but the price is an eye-watering fine for her family.
The 19-year-old’s lawyers are locked in negotiations over a plea bargain to bring the teenager home to Teeside.
Bella’s trial was due to start today but was adjourned by Judge Giorgi Gelashvili due to the ‘ongoing success in negotiations’.
At today’s hearing in Tbilisi City Court, Bella was told she could be freed for a ‘substantial’ amount of money with ‘many zeros’.
Although her family could not disclose quite how large the price tag is, her mum Lyanne Kennedy described it as ‘a lot of money for us’.
She added: ‘They offered us a layered approach: this and this much to let her go immediately, and then another [lower] offer where she serves some amount.
‘I don’t know what to do.’
Lawyer Malkhaz Salakaia, defending, confirmed the payment could free the five-months pregnant teenager but said they were still waiting for the green light from her parents.
She told journalists: ‘If her family is ready to pay the sum that the state is demanding she can go straight to the airport.
‘Negotiations are close to completion. The higher the fine will be, the less time she will serve including a full release.
‘At this moment, Bella’s family isn’t ready to pay the amount requested.
‘It all depends on Bella’s parents. The prosecution is willing to let her go on the same day the demanded amount is paid.
‘We are debating and negotiating on that aspect and it’s likely that this compromise will be reached before the [next hearing on] October 9.’
Bella, a student nurse from Billingham, County Durham, went missing in Thailand before she was arrested 3,7000 miles away at Tbilisi International Airport on May 10 for allegedly smuggling a large amount of illegal drugs in her suitcase.
The 19-year-old claims she was tortured until she agreed to smuggle drugs out of Thailand, saying she was burned with a hot iron and shown a beheading video by a Thai gang.
Bella, who was previously told she faced life in Georgian prison, could be seen smiling at her family during the hearing on Tuesday, telling them: ‘I love you.’
Mum Lyanne, 44, could be seen dabbing tears from her eyes during proceedings.
Her auntie Kerrie Culley, 51, and Bella’s grandfather were by Lyanne’s side at Tbilisi City Court.
Mr Salakaia told court: ‘Negotiations over a plea bargain are ongoing, and not without success.
‘We’ve heard counter-proposals from the prosecution. We need more time regarding a plea bargain for the family to better prepare for all technicalities.’
Bella’s lawyer also requested bail for teenager, citing her pregnancy, saying:’She will be here [in Tbilisi], her family will take care of her, and she is ready to cooperate.’
But the judge rejected this request, adding: ‘Of course we are worried about Miss Bella’s health and that of her child, and obviously her child should develop in a free environment.
‘Taking into consideration the ongoing success in negotiations and that the family need more time to consider the prosecutions offer, we can pledge that we can move the date of the next trial the very moment you reach an agreement.’
The next hearing is due on October 9.
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