Cape Town woman faces 15-yr prison sentence in Georgia unless her family can pay a fine of $25,000

Cape Town woman, Genevieve Uys, faces a possible 15-year prison sentence in Georgia unless her family can pay a fine of $25,000 (R465k). Uys was arrested on October 6, 2022, in Batumi, Georgia, on charges of drug possession. Genevieve is an international In vitro fertilization (IVF) Facilitator and was on her way to the Batumi Fertility Clinic when she was arrested.

According to court documents, Uys was found in possession of 0.341 grams of 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 0.13 grams of Oxycodone, and 0.16 grams of Methylphenidate. Uys has a history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and was diagnosed with a congenital, degenerative eye disease – Keratoconus.

Uys’ mother, Sandra, stated that her daughter has a medical condition and that the drugs were used to manage nerve pain. Genevieve’s legal team is disputing the MDMA possession charge, believing that the drugs were planted to increase the chance of conviction and payment of a fine.

Genevieve turns 33 in August, and her disease requires regular attention, but there is no one qualified to deal with her condition in Georgia, and there is no facility to provide her specialized lenses.

Georgia’s drug laws and aggressive enforcement cause severe harm, according to Human Rights Watch. Georgian law imposes long, mandatory minimum sentences for drug-related offences. Possession of even a particle of illicit substances qualifies as a large amount, triggering a mandatory minimum five-year prison sentence. Having more than one gram could result in a life sentence.

Sandra Uys negotiated a plea bargain agreement with the Georgian state, which reduced Genevieve’s prison sentence to one year and a $25,000 fine. However, the fine must be paid by March 10, or the plea agreement will be annulled. If the family does not pay the fine, Genevieve will be put on trial and could face eight to 15 years in prison.