A BRIT teen held in Georgia on drug smuggling charges could face a gruelling nine month wait in a brutal ex-Soviet prison as she awaits trial.
Bella May Culley into the Eastern European country.
The 18-year-old appeared in earlier this week, where she said she is pregnant and invoked her right to remain silent.
But she before she stands trial.
The prosecutor has requested 55 days to find evidence before the case is brought to trial, according to BBC reports.
But the broadcaster understands this could be extended by a further further seven months – before her trial.
Ia Todua, Bella’s lawyer, said police wanted to work out where the alleged had come from and whether she was “planning to hand it over to someone”;;.
The lawyer added that the prosecution estimates they will need two months to gather information.
She said: “They said that they had to conduct a lot of investigative activities, so that they can collect evidence, establish where it was from and was she planning to hand it over to someone.
“That’s what they said they want to establish, and they also confiscated her phone.”;;
Bella could have to wait for her trial in the brutal Women’s Penitentiary No. 5 in Rustavi – .
A report by ‘s ombudsman into the prison laid bare the horrifying conditions of the place where Bella could spend decades behind bars.
If convicted, Bella could be sent down for 20 years – or even life.
The report said: “When prisoners are received at the No.5 Facility,
they are inspected naked and are requested to squat, which the inmates consider degrading treatment.
“According to inmates, this procedure is especially humiliating and intensive during an inmate’s menstrual cycle.”;;
Before her arrest, Bella had been reported missing in – while she had been travelling in South East Asia.
She had to go to Thailand with unidentified strangers.
A family friend has claimed Bella is being “completely exploited”;;, saying: “She’s just a normal 18-year-old. She’s not some hardened criminal.”;;
Bella has submitted a formal request for her dad Niel – who lives in – and aunt Kerrie to be allowed to visit her in prison.
Ms Todua told the Sun: “When I explained to her the consequences – that she could be sentenced to 15-20 years in prison or life – she was visibly shaken.
“My impression was that she ended up in Georgia without even knowing what she was doing.
“I got the impression she wasn’t expecting those consequences.”;;
Her family have also taken to social media to warn people about the fakepages that are circulating online.
Bella’s cousin Claire Taylorson wrote on Facebook: “Please be aware that a has been set up.
“Bella’s family do not want anysuch as Go Fund Me, and have certainly not asked for any financial help in this form.
“Please respect the family and the difficulties that they are facing.”;;
