Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya’s death sentence has been approved by the President of Yemen, bringing her case to the brink of execution. Convicted of murdering Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi, Priya has been in prison since 2017. Despite continuous efforts from her family, legal representatives, and support groups, her sentence remains in place unless a pardon is secured from the victim’s family.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has assured that the government is “extending all possible help” to explore avenues to save Priya’s life. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the government’s active involvement, stating that Priya’s family is exploring relevant legal and diplomatic options.
In 2014, Nimisha Priya, a trained nurse from Kerala, partnered with Talal Abdo Mahdi to establish a medical clinic in Yemen, as Yemeni law required local sponsorship. By 2015, their professional relationship had deteriorated, with Priya alleging abuse, torture, and confiscation of her passport by Mahdi. Unable to return to India, she was left stranded and vulnerable. Reports indicate that Mahdi also falsely claimed to be her husband, complicating her ability to seek assistance from local authorities.
In 2017, Priya reportedly attempted to retrieve her passport by sedating Mahdi, but an overdose led to his death. The trial court in Yemen sentenced her to death in 2018. Since then, her family and supporters have been fighting to overturn the sentence or secure a pardon.
Priya’s 57-year-old mother, Prema Kumari, traveled to Yemen’s capital Sana’a earlier this year to negotiate with the victim’s family for a waiver of the death penalty. Yemeni law permits such waivers in exchange for “blood money,” a financial compensation to the victim’s family. The Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, a group of NRI social workers, assisted her efforts.
Negotiations, however, stalled in September 2024, when the lawyer engaged by the Indian Embassy demanded additional funds. While supporters managed to raise $40,000 (approximately ₹34.2 lakh), the amount fell short of what was required. Kerala’s political leaders, including Nenmara MLA K Babu, joined hands to mobilize resources, but their combined efforts were insufficient.
