Yemen’s President Rashad al-Alimi has approved the death sentence for Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala, convicted of murdering a Yemeni national in 2017. The execution is expected within a month.
Conviction Details
Nimisha was found guilty of killing Talal Abdo Mehdi, dismembering his body, and disposing of it in a water tank. She was arrested while attempting to flee and has been in prison since her conviction.
Under Islamic law, the death sentence can be waived if the victim’s family pardons the offender in exchange for blood money. Nimisha’s mother, Premakumari, has been in Sana’a for five months negotiating with the victim’s family and tribal leaders for forgiveness. Samuel Jerome, an NRI social worker, has been aiding the efforts.
Negotiations Face Roadblocks
Talks hit a standstill in September when Abdullah Ameer, a lawyer appointed by the Indian Embassy, demanded a $20,000 pre-negotiation fee. Although crowdfunding raised part of the money, disputes over fund management stalled further discussions.
Nimisha’s legal team sought a reduction of her sentence, but all appeals, including to Yemen’s Supreme Court, were rejected. A Yemeni court upheld her death sentence in 2018.
Claims of Self-Defense
Nimisha alleges that Talal tricked her with promises of helping her establish a clinic, confiscated her passport, and subjected her to severe abuse, forcing her to act in self-defense.
Family’s Final Hope
Recently, Yemeni authorities allowed Premakumari to visit Nimisha in Central Prison. While the victim’s family has not yet agreed to pardon her, the option remains open under Islamic law, provided blood money is paid.
For now, her family and supporters continue their desperate efforts to save her life.
