An 18-year-old British woman is facing the reality of raising her unborn child behind bars after being arrested in Georgia for allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs into the country.
Bella Culley was detained at Tbilisi International Airport after arriving from Thailand. Authorities reportedly found over 12 kilograms of marijuana and 2 kilograms of hashish concealed in her luggage. During her initial court appearance, Culley revealed she was pregnant, which could significantly affect the course of her detention and sentencing.
Under Georgian law, incarcerated mothers are allowed to keep their children with them in prison until the age of three. However, complications may arise due to Georgia’s ban on dual citizenship, which could mean the child is legally recognized only as Georgian—potentially complicating any future custody or repatriation efforts involving Culley’s family in the UK.
Her family had previously reported her missing during her travels through Southeast Asia and are now working to secure visitation rights. They’ve raised concerns about her welfare and the conditions within the prison, which has been criticized in the past for overcrowding and poor treatment of inmates.
Culley’s case underscores the complex legal and humanitarian challenges that can emerge when foreign nationals are incarcerated abroad—especially when pregnancy and international custody are involved.