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Rustavi 2The family of an “advanced” British teenager on trial for drug smuggling in Georgia have paid £137,000 to have her sentence reduced.
Bella Culley, 19, from Billingham, Teesside, was previously told she could face up to 20 years in prison or life in prison if convicted.
Her mother Leanne Kennedy confirmed the family had transferred the funds and it was now up to prosecutors to confirm they had received the money.
Miss Culley was stopped at Tbilisi International Airport in May after 12kg (26lb) of marijuana and 2kg (4.4lb) of hashish were found in her luggage. She previously claimed she was tortured to bring the drugs.
Under the deal, her family paid 500,000 Georgian lari (£137,000) to significantly reduce her sentence.
More than 90% of drug-related crimes in Georgia are resolved through plea agreements.
Miss Culley will remain in custody until the next hearing on Monday.
ReutersMiss Culley is currently believed to be 35 weeks pregnant.
Speaking outside court, her mother said: “We have confirmed the funds have been sent but they need to confirm they have been received and that won’t happen until tomorrow.
“She looks big, pregnant, but she looks strong.”
Malhaz Salakaya, representing Miss Cully, said negotiations were “nearing completion”.
He said: “The terms of the plea are known to the family.
“There is a technical issue that will take a few days to resolve.”
Mr Salakaya previously said he planned to appeal to Georgia’s president to pardon her after finalizing a plea deal.
Raihan Demitri/BBCMiss Culley initially disappeared in Thailand before being arrested at Tbilisi International Airport on May 10.
She is understood to have arrived on a flight from Sharjah to the United Arab Emirates and police seized drugs from a travel bag.
In a hearing in Julyshe pleaded not guilty to charges of possession and trafficking in illegal drugs and claimed she was “forced to do this through torture”.
“I just wanted to travel,” she said. “I’m a good person. I’m a university student. I’m a clean person. I don’t do drugs.”
