A senior Thai law enforcement officer has challenged Bella May Culley's claim that she was subjected to torture which forced her to smuggle narcotics as he stated. Security camera footage showing her calmly passing through immigration alone.
Bella Culley, aged 19, hailing from Billingham, County Durham , experiences life behind bars in a Georgian jail following her arrest at Tbilisi International Airport on May 10 over allegations of attempting to smuggle a significant quantity of illicit substances in her luggage from Thailand.
The defendant's attorney, Mr Malkhaz Salakaia, stated that Bella, who hails from Billingham, County Durham had faced threats using a heated iron to compel her to traffic 12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish.
However, Lieutenant General Choengron Rimpadee stated that 'her allegations have no factual foundation' as he displayed surveillance video from the airport depicting Bella passing through customs at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
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He stated: “There is absolutely no proof that any immigration or law enforcement officials coerced or intimidated the suspect into smuggling narcotics out of the country.”
Following the teenager's emotional breakdown with tears at Tbilisi City Court, she denied allegations related to possessing and dealing illicit substances.
Bella, who is currently 18 weeks into her pregnancy, presented her injured wrist to the courtroom, explaining to the judge, "I didn't wish to do this. I was compelled to do so because of being tortured."
I simply wished to explore. I am an upright individual. I am currently studying at a university. I maintain cleanliness. I abstain from drug use.
Encik Salakia mentioned that the young woman was unaware of the contents in her bag and reportedly attempted to seek assistance from a police officer, who was also alleged to be involved with the gang.
He stated, "She was told to travel to Georgia - she had no idea where Georgia was situated."
He stated that his client was informed she would be greeted by individuals at Tbilisi Airport, but instead, she was stopped by a customs official.
Culley was held for 52 days as authorities looked into where she obtained 12 kilograms of marijuana and 2 kilograms of hashish discovered in her luggage.
Magistrate Lela Kalichenko has rejected her bond application, with the following court session set for July 10.
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