BBC News, North East and Cumbria
RustaviThe trial of a British teenager who is being held in prison in Georgia on drug smuggling charges has been postponed immediately after it began.
Bella Culley, 19, from Billingham, Teesside, appeared at Tbilisi City Court for a brief hearing after previously denying charges of possession and trafficking a large amount of marijuana and the narcotic hashish.
The trial started and the court heard there were issues relating to evidence that have to be resolved.
Miss Culley could face up to 20 years in jail or life imprisonment if convicted. Her next hearing is scheduled for 24 July.
The 19-year-old, who had the charges read to her again, remained silent throughout.
Miss Culley’s dad, who was in court, told his daughter to “stay strong”.
Mr Malkhaz Salakaia, representing Miss Culley, said there was a possibility that if both sides find an agreement the case could be closed on 24 July.
‘Forced through torture’
Miss Culley initially went missing in Thailand before being arrested at Tbilisi International Airport on 10 May.
She had been detained for 61 days before the hearing while the prosecution investigated 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 previously claimed she had been “forced to do this through torture”.
“I just wanted to travel,” she said. “I am a good person. I am a student at university. I am a clean person. I don’t do drugs.”
Rayhan Demytrie/BBCGeorgian Police said officers had seized marijuana and the narcotic drug hashish in a travel bag at Tbilisi International Airport.
It is understood that Miss Culley arrived in Tbilisi on a flight from Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates, on 10 May.
The BBC has been told the British Embassy has advised the teenager’s family not to speak to the press.
A Georgian police 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.
