British Bella May Culley 18, missing from Thailand, arrested in Georgia, May 2025

[PatLaurel]

I wonder when that picture was taken?

Posted on her FB on September 23, 2024.

MOO JMO

 

[Serononin]

I'm sure this case will be a cautionary tale in many an assembly and PHSE lesson once the new school year starts

 

[Inthedetails]

I'm sure this case will be a cautionary tale in many an assembly and PHSE lesson once the new school year starts

I hope so. Young people need to know how they can be used and how to recognize when it's happening. But, I have a feeling this will not be the last case of someone being flattered into crime.

jmopinion

 

[Serononin]

I hope so. Young people need to know how they can be used and how to recognize when it's happening. But, I have a feeling this will not be the last case of someone being flattered into crime.

jmopinion

Oh absolutely, she's not the first and she definitely won't be the last

 

[ch_13]

Public pressure back home builds as the angst for the baby grows and is reported by the media. Pressure is applied to politicians to get involved. Phone calls are made, politicians seeking votes in both countries get together with promises, deals and checks to follow. Then mysteriously a plea deal is reached with poor little Bella on her way home to safety.

Sorry, where is this public pressure that you speak of? Even the Daily Mail comment section, which would be ground-zero for that sort of thing, is pretty much 100% anti-Bella. Out of almost 500 comments, I found exactly one that said she should be set free. Hardly a groundswell.

I don't like the girl and her shenanigans either, but at this point, people are just spinning fan fiction: The pregnancy is a hoax! Politicians are demanding her release!

IMO, we're getting into conspiracy theory grounds at this point.

 

[Dotta]

Another one

https://twitter.com/x/status/1948542756818706448

 

[Hexe]

Sorry, where is this public pressure that you speak of? Even the Daily Mail comment section, which would be ground-zero for that sort of thing, is pretty much 100% anti-Bella. Out of almost 500 comments, I found exactly one that said she should be set free. Hardly a groundswell.

I don't like the girl and her shenanigans either, but at this point, people are just spinning fan fiction: The pregnancy is a hoax! Politicians are demanding her release!

IMO, we're getting into conspiracy theory grounds at this point.

The person you quote described a hypothetical situation, at least this is my impression. As for disbelieving pregnancy, Bella was already caught in so many egregious lies that it is hard to believe anything she claims.

 

[Sarahlou]

The judge mentioned Bella's pregnancy. They will have it confirmed that she really is pregnant.

 

[rob525]

Sorry, where is this public pressure that you speak of? Even the Daily Mail comment section, which would be ground-zero for that sort of thing, is pretty much 100% anti-Bella. Out of almost 500 comments, I found exactly one that said she should be set free. Hardly a groundswell.

I don't like the girl and her shenanigans either, but at this point, people are just spinning fan fiction: The pregnancy is a hoax! Politicians are demanding her release!

IMO, we're getting into conspiracy theory grounds at this point.

The point was that this is how things typically go. Not saying it will be successful. I guess we will see.

 

[Dotta]

Phew!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1948824288208752953

"Georgian prosecutor Vakhtang Tsaluqelashvili
has questioned the teenager's plea
and revealed prosecutors
have found evidence
which they say proves Culley's crime was premeditated and calculated.

'We have evidence
confirming that the defendant acted
with prior intent'.

He added
that the pregnant teen passed through multiple airports through three countries and across two continents,
and at no point
did she seem scared or concerned
or display any behavior that would lead authorities to believe
she was acting under duress.

Mr Tsaluqelashvili went on to say:

'Among other things,
at the moment of her arrest,
she did not say anything of this kind to the Georgian customs officers either.

Given the gravity of the offence committed,
the minimum expected sentence is 15 years
- even taking into account the mitigating circumstances'.

A request for bail citing her pregnancy was denied
and a further hearing was scheduled for
September 2."

Oh dear...
Too bad!

 

[bobbymkii]

Pregnant British ‘drug mule’ Bella Culley is due back in court today in Georgia as she battles a possible life sentence.

Everything we know about Bella May Culley as 'drug mule' Brit faces court

Teesside teenager Bella May Culley, 19, faces 20 years to life imprisonment should she be convicted of smuggling large amounts of marijuana and hashish into Georgia

www.mirror.co.uk

 

[Alyce]

Just seeing media reports that she can possibly be freed if family pay a fine

Pregnant British drug mule told she can walk FREE if she pays a fine

The 19-year-old could be out in weeks in a dramatic change of fortune as her lawyers are on the verge of a plea bargain breakthrough.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Sarahlou]

Just seeing media that she can possibly be freed if family pay a fine

Pregnant British drug mule told she can walk FREE if she pays a fine

The 19-year-old could be out in weeks in a dramatic change of fortune as her lawyers are on the verge of a plea bargain breakthrough.

www.dailymail.co.uk

From this article

Judge Gelashvili said: '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 case was adjourned until the next hearing on October 9.

 

[Skigh]

Just seeing media that she can possibly be freed if family pay a fine

Pregnant British drug mule told she can walk FREE if she pays a fine

The 19-year-old could be out in weeks in a dramatic change of fortune as her lawyers are on the verge of a plea bargain breakthrough.

www.dailymail.co.uk

That is disappointing. I had hoped she would have been kept behind bars for a few years. Though I can see that would not be an ideal place to raise a child .

 

[Alyce]

Tbilisi City Court heard defence and prosecution teams were negotiating the terms of a bargain which would see the teenager freed for a sum of money with "many zeros", understood to be in Georgian Lari.

Miss Culley, who is about five months pregnant, appeared in court wearing a black t-shirt and trousers.

British teen Bella Culley told 'substantial' sum would free her

Bella Culley could face up to 20 years in jail or life imprisonment if convicted.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Alyce]

Mr Salakaia asked for bail on a 50,000 lari (£13,750) bond, citing Bella's pregnancy. 'She will be here [in Tbilisi], her family will take care of her, and she is ready to cooperate,' he said.
But his request was denied.

Pregnant British drug mule told she can walk FREE if she pays a fine

The 19-year-old could be out in weeks in a dramatic change of fortune as her lawyers are on the verge of a plea bargain breakthrough.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[astheworldfallsdown]

That won't be any kind of lesson for all the other young, greedy drug mules IMO. How long before she's touted as some sort of celebrity? JMO

 

[Skigh]

That won't be any kind of lesson for all the other young, greedy drug mules IMO. How long before she's touted as some sort of celebrity? JMO

She will do the rounds of day time television and probably a newspaper will pay towards her release in return for exclusive photos and articles.Bella will revel in all the attention and ultimately learn nothing from being caught smuggling.

 

[Inthedetails]

Mr Salakaia asked for bail on a 50,000 lari (£13,750) bond, citing Bella's pregnancy. 'She will be here [in Tbilisi], her family will take care of her, and she is ready to cooperate,' he said.
But his request was denied.

Pregnant British drug mule told she can walk FREE if she pays a fine

The 19-year-old could be out in weeks in a dramatic change of fortune as her lawyers are on the verge of a plea bargain breakthrough.

www.dailymail.co.uk

I am conflicted about this. I do not want a baby born and live behind bars, even if it's for a short while.

But, the mom committed a crime and that doesn't go away just because she's pregnant.

jmopinion

 

[Skigh]

The danger of releasing her because she is pregnant could lead to drug smuggling organisations recruiting pregnant teenagers to carry drugs through various countries.