British teenager Bella May Culley could face a life sentence in one of eastern Europe’s most infamous prisons after being arrested in Georgia on drug smuggling charges.
The 18-year-old, from Billingham in County Durham, was detained after allegedly attempting to bring 14 kilos of cannabis into the country. Her arrest came just days after she was reported missing during a backpacking trip in Thailand.
She was tracked down more than 4,000 miles away in Tbilisi, where she was paraded into court in handcuffs. During the hearing, Culley told officials she is pregnant, and she is now due to undergo a medical examination while in custody.
Harsh conditions behind bars
If convicted, Culley is likely to serve her sentence in Georgia’s only women’s facility – Tbilisi Prison No.5 – a prison condemned by multiple human rights groups over the years.
Conditions inside the facility have been branded “inhuman” and “degrading”, with past reports describing overcrowding, lack of privacy, and unsanitary facilities. New inmates are reportedly subjected to humiliating strip searches, including being ordered to squat naked. According to one government ombudsman’s report, these invasive procedures are still routine.
Other complaints from inside include cold, undrinkable water, rusted metal shower dividers with pooled water on the floors, and a severe lack of privacy. Cells for lifers are said to be damp, and the facility itself in a state of decay.
Timeline of events
Culley had been travelling across southeast Asia and was last seen in Thailand earlier this month. She had shared photos on social media from her trip before vanishing. When she failed to contact her family, a desperate search was launched.
It was later discovered she had been detained in Georgia, where authorities reportedly found 14 kilos of cannabis – as well as a quantity of hashish – concealed in her luggage.
The Foreign Office has confirmed it is providing support to the family and remains in contact with Georgian officials. Meanwhile, police in the UK have acknowledged her arrest.
Family concern and ongoing investigation
The arrest has left her loved ones stunned. Her mother previously said the last message she received from Bella was on a Saturday evening, with her daughter promising to FaceTime later. That call never came.
Bella’s family are now anxiously awaiting updates, with reports suggesting they believe the teenager may have been exploited.
Culley remains in custody while authorities continue to investigate. If convicted, she could spend the rest of her life in one of Georgia’s toughest jails.
