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| Bella May Culley not 'far from childhood', new lawyer says | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Bella Culley has now had a lawyer appointed by her family to represent her | Bella Culley has now had a lawyer appointed by her family to represent her |
| A British teenager held in prison in Georgia on suspicion of drug offences has been described as "not far from childhood" by her new lawyer. | A British teenager held in prison in Georgia on suspicion of drug offences has been described as "not far from childhood" by her new lawyer. |
| Bella Culley, 18, from Billingham on Teesside, has had the first meeting with her new family-appointed lawyer Malkhaz Salakaia, who said he had to explain to her where she was geographically. | Bella Culley, 18, from Billingham on Teesside, has had the first meeting with her new family-appointed lawyer Malkhaz Salakaia, who said he had to explain to her where she was geographically. |
| She is being detained for 55 days before trial while the prosecution investigates where the 12kg (26lbs) of marijuana and 2kg (4.4lbs) of hashish found in a travel bag came from, and whether she was planning on handing it over to someone else. | She is being detained for 55 days before trial while the prosecution investigates where the 12kg (26lbs) of marijuana and 2kg (4.4lbs) of hashish found in a travel bag came from, and whether she was planning on handing it over to someone else. |
| Mr Salakaia said Miss Culley was in "good health" but he would not describe her as an adequate adult. | Mr Salakaia said Miss Culley was in "good health" but he would not describe her as an adequate adult. |
| The lawyer, who does not speak English and specialises in juvenile law, has been communicating with his client using a translator. | The lawyer, who does not speak English and specialises in juvenile law, has been communicating with his client using a translator. |
| Their first meeting lasted two hours in prison number 5, near the town of Rustavi. | Their first meeting lasted two hours in prison number 5, near the town of Rustavi. |
| Mr Salakaia said his client was in good health, did not have any complaints about the place of detention and was ready to defend herself in court. | Mr Salakaia said his client was in good health, did not have any complaints about the place of detention and was ready to defend herself in court. |
| When asked whether he would describe Miss Culley as an adequate adult, his answer was "no". | When asked whether he would describe Miss Culley as an adequate adult, his answer was "no". |
| He said he had the impression she was "not far from childhood". | He said he had the impression she was "not far from childhood". |
| Bella Culley's family is being supported by the Foreign Office | Bella Culley's family is being supported by the Foreign Office |
| During their meeting, the 18-year-old was also giving evidence to Georgian investigators. | During their meeting, the 18-year-old was also giving evidence to Georgian investigators. |
| Miss Culley asked for advice about what to say and on some questions she chose to remain silent. | Miss Culley asked for advice about what to say and on some questions she chose to remain silent. |
| At the previous pre-trial hearing on 13 May, Miss Culley told the court she was pregnant. | At the previous pre-trial hearing on 13 May, Miss Culley told the court she was pregnant. |
| Georgian Police said officers had seized marijuana and the narcotic drug hashish in a travel bag at Tbilisi International Airport. | Georgian Police said officers had seized marijuana and the narcotic drug hashish in a travel bag at Tbilisi International Airport. |
| The BBC understands Ms Culley arrived in Tbilisi on a flight from Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates, on 10 May. | The BBC understands Ms Culley arrived in Tbilisi on a flight from Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates, on 10 May. |
| Bella Culley has been sent to prison number 5, in the city of Rustavi, while she awaits trial | Bella Culley has been sent to prison number 5, in the city of Rustavi, while she awaits trial |
| The BBC has been told the British Embassy has advised the teenager's family not to speak to the press. | The BBC has been told the British Embassy has advised the teenager's family not to speak to the press. |
| Miss Culley was charged by Georgian police with illegally buying, possessing and importing large quantities of narcotics. | Miss Culley was charged by Georgian police with illegally buying, possessing and importing large quantities of narcotics. |
| A spokesperson said the arrest was the result of a joint operation between multiple departments and, if she was found guilty, Miss Culley could face up to 20 years in jail or life imprisonment. | A spokesperson said the arrest was the result of a joint operation between multiple departments and, if she was found guilty, Miss Culley could face up to 20 years in jail or life imprisonment. |
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