Yemen’s President, Rashad al-Alimi, has confirmed the death sentence of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, who has been incarcerated in Yemen since 2017 for the murder of a Yemeni national. The death sentence, which could be carried out within a month, has drawn significant concern from India, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressing its intent to provide full assistance to Priya’s family in their efforts to overturn the sentence.
The ruling by President al-Alimi came as a devastating blow to Priya’s family, particularly her mother, Prema Kumari. Kumari, who traveled to Yemen earlier this year to advocate for her daughter’s release, has been negotiating with the victim’s family and local tribal leaders in hopes of securing a pardon. The only avenue for Priya’s release now rests on the forgiveness of the victim’s family and the payment of blood money, a common practice in Yemen to resolve such cases.
The case of Nimisha Priya: A fight for Justice
Nimisha Priya, a 36-year-old nurse from Kerala, was convicted of murdering Talal Abdo Mahdi, a Yemeni national, in 2017. According to reports, the incident occurred when Priya attempted to retrieve her passport from Mahdi, who had been a substance abuser. Priya had sought to sedate him to take back her passport, but the sedative proved fatal, causing Mahdi’s death due to an overdose.
In 2018, Priya was sentenced to death by a Yemeni trial court, and despite attempts by her family to appeal the verdict, their efforts were unsuccessful. The Yemeni Supreme Court rejected their appeal in 2023, and the latest ruling from President al-Alimi has only intensified the urgency of the situation.
India’s response and diplomatic efforts
Reacting to the developments, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal acknowledged India’s awareness of the situation and assured that the government was working closely with Priya’s family. “We understand that the family of Priya is exploring relevant options. The government is extending all possible help in the matter,” Jaiswal stated.
Prema Kumari has been engaged in complex negotiations with the victim’s family over the blood money, a critical component for securing a pardon under Yemeni law. However, these negotiations faced setbacks earlier this year when a lawyer appointed by the Indian Embassy demanded a pre-negotiation fee of $20,000, which led to a halt in discussions.
The case has sparked widespread concern and calls for justice both within India and internationally, as the family continues to fight against the execution order. Despite the setbacks, the Indian government remains committed to providing legal and diplomatic support in the hopes of securing Priya’s release.
A mother’s unyielding fight
Throughout this tumultuous period, Prema Kumari has remained steadfast in her efforts to save her daughter, moving to Sana’a and staying there in the hopes of reaching a resolution. The outcome of her negotiations will play a pivotal role in determining whether the death sentence can be avoided, as the fate of Nimisha Priya now hinges on the victim’s family’s forgiveness and the payment of blood money.
As India and Yemen continue to navigate the complexities of this case, Nimisha Priya’s fate remains uncertain, but the Indian government’s continued efforts to intervene show its commitment to ensuring justice and diplomatic resolution.