India extends support to Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, sentenced to death in Yemen

Govt providing all possible help after Nimisha Priya’s death sentence: MEA

India has announced its commitment to providing “all possible help” to Nimisha Priya, a Kerala nurse sentenced to death in Yemen for the murder of a Yemeni national. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed its involvement as the family races against time to secure a reprieve.

Government’s statement

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the situation in a statement on Tuesday:
“We are aware of the sentencing of Nimisha Priya in Yemen. We understand that the family of Priya is exploring relevant options. The government is extending all possible help in the matter.”

The statement comes after Yemen’s President Rashad al-Alimi approved Nimisha Priya’s death sentence, with reports indicating the execution could occur within a month.

Efforts to save Nimisha Priya

Priya’s mother, Prema Kumari, has been tirelessly working to secure a waiver of the death penalty. Earlier this year, with support from the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, an organization of NRI social workers, she traveled to Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, to negotiate the payment of diya (blood money) to the victim’s family.

Background of the case

Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kollengode in Kerala’s Palakkad district, moved to Yemen in 2008 to support her family. After working in hospitals, she opened her own clinic. In 2017, a conflict arose with her Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi, over alleged misappropriation of funds.

According to her family, Nimisha allegedly injected Mahdi with sedatives to recover her confiscated passport. However, an overdose led to his death. She was arrested while attempting to flee and was convicted of murder in 2018.

In 2020, a trial court in Sanaa sentenced her to death. Yemen’s Supreme Judicial Council upheld the sentence in November 2023 but left open the option of blood money.

Ongoing efforts and concerns

The case has drawn significant attention and highlighted the challenges faced by Indian nationals abroad. Nimisha’s family and supporters are continuing their efforts to raise the necessary funds for diya to save her from execution.

India’s intervention is being closely watched as the deadline approaches, with the family and advocacy groups hoping for a resolution that spares her life.

For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.

The post India extends support to Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, sentenced to death in Yemen appeared first on PGurus.