India Reaffirms Support For Nimisha Priya As Yemen Pauses Execution

India reaffirmed on Thursday that it remains fully committed to assisting Nimisha Priya, a Kerala nurse sentenced to death in Yemen, and is actively engaged with friendly nations to provide every possible form of support.

“This is a very sensitive matter, and the Government of India has been offering all possible assistance in the case. We have provided legal assistance and also appointed a lawyer to assist the family. We have also arranged regular consular visits for the family, and we are in touch with both local authorities and the family members to resolve this issue,” stated Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a regular media briefing.

He further noted, “This included concerted efforts in the last few days to seek more time for her family to reach a mutually agreeable solution with the other party. The local authorities in Yemen have postponed carrying out her sentence that was scheduled for July 16. We will continue to closely follow the matter and render all possible assistance in the case. We are also in touch with some friendly governments in this regard.”

In a significant turn of events, the planned execution of Priya has been temporarily halted following extended negotiations. She was due to be executed on Wednesday.

Legal experts note that under Yemeni law, the family of the deceased holds the power to pardon the accused.

However, with differing views emerging within the family, religious leaders and officials involved in the talks are working towards a resolution.

The next phase of negotiations is expected to focus on a potential ‘blood money’ settlement. This is a Sharia-compliant practice where financial compensation is offered to the victim’s family in exchange for clemency.

A billionaire from Kerala has reportedly come forward to offer financial assistance for the arrangement.

Background: Nimisha Priya’s Case

Nimisha Priya has been in Yemeni custody since 2017, convicted of murdering her former business partner, Talal Abdo Mehdi.

She had moved to Yemen in 2008 and worked as a nurse before launching a clinic.

After a falling-out with Mehdi, she allegedly administered sedatives to him in an attempt to retrieve her passport. The sedatives proved fatal.

Priya was arrested while trying to flee the country and was convicted in 2018.

Her death sentence, issued in 2020, was upheld by Yemen’s Supreme Judicial Council in November 2023, though the court left room for pardon through a blood money deal.

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