In a dramatic turn of events, the execution of Nimisha Priya, the Indian nurse from Kerala sentenced to death in Yemen for the 2017 murder of a Yemeni man, has been postponed. The decision comes after extensive behind-the-scenes negotiations with the victim’s family, who agreed to delay the hanging scheduled for July 16.
Though this postponement offers temporary relief, it does not signify Ms Priya’s release or return to India. She remains imprisoned in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, currently under Houthi control, a major hurdle for India, as New Delhi does not have formal diplomatic relations with the Houthi regime.
According to sources, the Indian government had ramped up efforts in recent days to facilitate dialogue between Ms Priya’s family and that of the murdered Yemeni national, Talal Abdo Mahdi. These efforts appear to have resulted in a temporary stay of execution. However, officials emphasize that this delay is not a reprieve, but an opportunity to seek a negotiated settlement.
“The only way is if the family (of the Yemeni man) agrees to accept the ‘blood money’,” Attorney General R Venkataramani told the Supreme Court on Monday. “There is not much that the Indian government can do… we tried whatever was possible,” he added, underscoring the complexity of the case.
Under Sharia law, ‘blood money’ is a financial compensation paid to the victim’s family, allowing them to pardon the accused. If accepted, it halts the execution. The Indian side remains hopeful, but the final decision rests solely with Mahdi’s family.
Nimisha Priya moved to Yemen in 2008 to work as a nurse and later opened a clinic with local businessman Talal Abdo Mahdi as her partner, complying with local laws that required a Yemeni national. However, Mahdi allegedly began harassing her, took her passport and money, and made it nearly impossible for her to return home.
In a desperate attempt to escape in 2017, Priya reportedly sedated Mahdi to recover her passport. When the situation escalated and he died, she was arrested while attempting to flee the country. She was later convicted and sentenced to death by a Yemeni court. Despite appeals, the sentence was upheld in 2023 by the Supreme Judicial Council and confirmed by the Yemeni President.
Activist Babu John, who is leading efforts to save Priya, confirmed that all legal petitions had been exhausted. He said the current push is focused entirely on facilitating a settlement through compensation.
Indian officials continue to engage with the jail and prosecuting authorities in Yemen to maintain contact and ensure procedural safeguards are respected. But they remain realistic about the limits of their influence in a nation with no Indian diplomatic presence.
The case has sparked concern and calls for more structured diplomatic pathways to handle such legal crises involving Indian nationals abroad.
