Yemeni President Approves Death Sentence for Indian nurse Nimisha Priya
Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi has sanctioned the execution of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, following her conviction for the 2017 murder of Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi. This decision has prompted a fresh wave of diplomatic efforts from India and her family, who continue to plead for clemency through forgiveness from the victim’s family.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Monday that they are providing all possible support in the case. Nimisha Priya’s mother, Prema Kumari, has been stationed in Sana’a, Yemen’s capital, working tirelessly to negotiate the required blood money with the victim’s family to avert her execution.
The Case and Legal Battle
Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Palakkad, Kerala, was found guilty of killing Mahdi in 2017. She was accused of causing his death through an overdose of sedatives during an attempt to recover her seized passport. According to her plea, Mahdi had manipulated her clinic ownership documents and subjected her to financial and physical abuse, even falsely claiming they were married.
Her family appealed to the Yemeni Supreme Court, but the trial court’s death sentence was upheld in 2023. With the President rejecting her appeal, her only hope now lies in securing forgiveness from the victim’s family, a process that requires tribal approval and substantial blood money.
Negotiation Challenges
Negotiations with the victim’s family have hit significant roadblocks. The appointed Yemeni lawyer demanded a pre-negotiation fee of $20,000, of which the Indian Embassy had already paid a part. However, the lawyer refused to proceed without the full amount, delaying progress. The Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council has relied on crowdfunding to gather funds but faced issues in maintaining donor transparency.
Background
Nimisha Priya moved to Yemen in 2015 to establish a clinic with Mahdi’s help, as Yemeni law restricts clinic ownership to nationals. According to her plea, Mahdi exploited her trust, embezzling funds, and confiscating her passport. Her repeated pleas to local authorities were met with inaction, leaving her vulnerable to further exploitation.
In July 2017, desperate to recover her passport, Priya attempted to sedate Mahdi to persuade him. However, the sedative proved fatal, leading to her conviction for murder.
India’s Response
The Indian government has expressed concern over the case, with the MEA offering support to Priya’s family as they navigate the legal and diplomatic challenges. Meanwhile, efforts to secure forgiveness from Mahdi’s family remain ongoing.
The Path Ahead
With the execution looming, the case underscores the complexity of navigating international legal systems and the weight of cultural norms. Nimisha Priya’s fate now rests on securing clemency and finalizing blood money negotiations. Her family and supporters hope for a resolution that spares her life while honoring justice for the victim.
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