By Zesha Saleem
Thai immigration authorities have denied allegations by Bella May Culley, a suspected British drug mule , that she was tortured and forced to smuggle drugs from Thailand. Previously, the 19-year-old broke down in tears in a Georgian court, claiming she was “forced by torture.” The 19-year-old could face life imprisonment after being arrested earlier this year for allegedly smuggling cannabis into the former Soviet nation. Bella previously appeared in a Tbilisi courtroom, visibly upset and needing a tissue from her solicitor to dab away her tears. However, Thai authorities responded to international media reports about the teenager’s claims – and show airport surveillance footage that contradicts her testimony. Police Lieutenant General Choengron Rimpadee said that “there is absolutely no factual basis to her claims” while presenting airport CCTV footage showing Culley walking normally through passport control at Suvarnabhumi Airport. He added: “There is no evidence whatsoever that any immigration or police officers forced or threatened the suspect to smuggle drugs out of the country.” The immigration chief believes that her allegations are intended to mitigate her sentence. Thai authorities will now register her in the immigration system as a “prohibited person” due to what they view as credible evidence of involvement in drug trafficking activities, Khaosod English reported . During her courtroom appearance, Bella May pleaded with the court: “I didn’t want to do this. I was forced by torture. I just wanted to travel. I study at the university… to become a nurse. “All I wanted to do was to travel and this happened to me. I’m clean – I had nothing in my blood test. I wanted to make my family proud. Thanks for listening.” Her father, Neil, and aunt were in attendance. Bella’s barrister, Malkaz Salakaia, claimed his client was informed she would be met by certain individuals at Tbilisi airport, but instead, she was intercepted by a customs officer. He asked Bella to show the court a bruise on her hand – allegedly inflicted by an iron in Thailand, the Mirror reported. Bella complied, displaying her right hand to the court before wiping her eyes and sitting back down to face her family. Mr Salakaia alleged that his client was tortured with a hot iron on her right hand. He further claimed that when Bella sought assistance from a police officer, he turned out to be part of the criminal gang as well. The British woman, who went missing in Thailand before being detained in Georgia, has been denied bail after being accused of smuggling approximately 14kg of cannabis and hashish into the country. Her lawyer argued that she posed no flight risk, but the judge rejected the request. Judge Lela Kalichenko noted that Bella, from Teesside, is pregnant and has no prior convictions. The judge added that Bella appears young and has the support of her family. Bella claims she was coerced into carrying the case and was unaware of its contents. As she left the courtroom in tears, her family attempted to reassure her, saying: “Try not to worry. Good girl.” Her next court appearance is scheduled for 10 July. For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters .