Bella Culley, 19, from Billingham, Teesside, UK, appeared in Tbilisi City Court on drug smuggling charges. She faces up to 20 years imprisonment or life if convicted of possessing 12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish found in her luggage at Tbilisi International Airport on May 10. Culley maintains her innocence, claiming she was "forced to do this through torture" and had no intention of breaking the law. Her lawyer echoed this, stating a lack of evidence suggesting intent.

The court hearing lasted 30 minutes, during which Culley exchanged smiles with her mother, Lyanne Kennedy. Culley, who is pregnant, underwent medical tests recently, and her mother became emotional upon learning the gender of her grandchild. The prosecution detailed the quantity of drugs found, while Culley stated, "I never thought that something like that would happen to me," and expressed hope the court would "see my story through my eyes." The next hearing is scheduled for September, unless a plea deal is reached. Culley will remain in prison until then. Culley initially went missing in Thailand before her arrest in Georgia. The British Embassy advised the family not to speak to the press.

Impact Statement: The case highlights the potential for severe penalties for drug offenses abroad and the challenges faced by British citizens involved in legal proceedings in foreign countries.