Bella May Culley, 19, from Teesside, was arrested at Tbilisi International Airport in May after authorities alleged she attempted to smuggle 12 kilograms of marijuana and 2 kilograms of hashish into the country.
Wearing a cream blazer, Culley appeared emotional as she walked free on Monday, holding the hand of her mother, Lyanne Kennedy. When asked how she felt, the eight-months-pregnant teen said she was “happy” and admitted she “did not expect to be freed.”
According to Georgian prosecutors, Culley could have faced up to 15 years or life imprisonment if convicted. However, Prosecutor Vakhtang Tsalughelashvili told the Associated Press that authorities opted to take into account the time she had already served.
Her release follows lengthy negotiations between her legal team and Georgian judicial officials. Culley’s family reportedly paid over £137,000 as part of a plea agreement that significantly reduced her sentence.
Her lawyer, Malkhaz Salakaia, confirmed that Culley would receive her passport back and was free to leave the country on Monday.
