Drama in Tbilisi: 18-year-old backpacker sentenced to 20 years in prison!

Drama in Tbilisi: 18-year-old backpacker sentenced to 20 years in prison!

Bella May Culley, an 18-year-old British woman, has experienced a dramatic turn in her backpacking trip to Thailand. She was arrested at the airport in Tbilisi, Georgia, after she was reported missing by her family. Bella had been missing since May 10 after losing contact during her trip to the Philippines. On Tuesday evening, images showing her in handcuffs were released, underlining the extent of her situation.

The Georgian authorities accuse Bella of illegally smuggling 14 kilograms of drugs, mainly marijuana and hashish, into Georgia. According to them, she is accused of purchasing, storing and importing a large quantity of drugs. If she is convicted, she faces at least 20 years in prison and possibly even life in prison. A judge refused to release her on bail because she was a flight risk.

Pretrial detention and family support

After her arrest, Bella was taken to the Central Criminal Police Office in Tbilisi. She is currently being held in custody at Prison Number 5, which has a bad reputation for its poor conditions, which have been criticized as overcrowded and degrading. Her father and aunt have now traveled to Georgia to support her during this difficult time.

The circumstances surrounding how Bella ended up in Georgia and what happened in the days leading up to her arrest remain unclear. Human rights organizations have already raised the alarm about the critical situation and conditions in the Georgian prison. Belgium's arrest raises concerns about the legal process and prison conditions she faces.

Ongoing challenges await Bella while the trial is pending. The situation raises fundamental questions about the treatment of foreigners in foreign countries and the impact of drug-related crime.