Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya on death row in Yemen to be executed on July 16
The negotiation team has reportedly offered USD one million to the victim's family as compensation. Babu John, a member of the action council, confirmed the offer. Nimisha's mother, Prema Kumari, who has been in Yemen since 2024 to help save her daughter, continues to stay there as efforts to secure forgiveness continue.The Save Nimisha Priya action council said the Director General of Prosecution in Yemen has informed the jailer about the execution.WHAT LED TO NIMISHA'S DEATH SENTENCE?Nimisha moved to Yemen in 2008 and worked in several hospitals before opening her own clinic in 2015 with Talal Abdo Mehdi as her mandatory local partner.According to her family, disputes arose after she accused him of embezzling funds. To reclaim her passport, allegedly held by Mehdi, she injected him with sedatives to render him unconscious. However, the overdose reportedly led to his death. Nimisha was arrested while trying to flee Yemen.On December 30 last year, Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi approved the death sentence for Nimisha Priya, who has been in prison since 2017.- EndsTrending Reel
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First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Beyond Nimisha Priya: 10,000 Indians in foreign jails, 49 facing death sentence
Nimisha Priya death row: The government data shared in Parliament show that thousands of Indians have been found on the wrong side of the law. At least 49 face death penalty. read more Nimisha Priya, from Kerala's Palakkad district, was arrested in 2017 and later convicted for the murder of her business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi. Image courtesy X With over 10,000 Indians currently imprisoned in foreign jails, including 49 facing the death penalty, the harsh reality of overseas legal entanglements continues to challenge Indian diplomacy and test the limits of government intervention. From allegations of petty crimes to serious offences including murder and drug trafficking, Indian nationals abroad face legal systems vastly different from India's, often without adequate legal support or diplomatic recourse. The case of Nimisha Priya: A stark example Among the most urgent cases is that of Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala sentenced to death in Yemen for the 2017 murder of her Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi. After reportedly drugging Mahdi to retrieve her passport, which he had seized, the situation escalated fatally. Priya, along with a Yemeni accomplice, allegedly dismembered the body and hid it in a water tank, the PTI reported. Convicted in a trial conducted under Yemen's Sharia law amid a brutal civil war, her appeal was rejected in 2023, and execution is scheduled for July 16, 2025. The Indian government has admitted its hands are tied due to the lack of diplomatic relations with the Houthi-controlled Yemeni administration. Despite efforts including informal negotiations and engaging influential locals, the situation remains grim. The only remaining hope lies in 'blood money', a provision under Sharia law that allows the convict's life to be spared if the victim's family accepts financial compensation. However, this process is strictly private, and the Indian state cannot directly intervene beyond facilitating contact. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A pattern beyond a single case Priya's case, while extreme, is not isolated. As of March 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that 49 Indian nationals were facing death sentences in eight countries. This includes 25 in the UAE, 11 in Saudi Arabia, six in Malaysia and others in Kuwait, Indonesia, Qatar, the US and Yemen. The reasons range from murder, drug trafficking and espionage to economic crimes, and in some cases, even religious violations in highly conservative legal jurisdictions. For example, several Indians executed in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in recent years were convicted of drug-related offences, the MEA informed the Rajya Sabha in March this year. A legal limbo Indian diplomatic missions abroad consistently walk a fine line. While they are mandated to provide legal and consular support, including jail visits, arranging interpreters and helping with appeals or mercy petitions, the host country's sovereignty always takes precedence. In cases like Yemen, where the central authority is fragmented and India lacks formal recognition of the de facto rulers — the Houthis — in this case where even these basic interventions become near-impossible. Moreover, many Indian nationals often lack legal awareness, face language barriers and are unable to afford effective representation. In conflict zones or authoritarian regimes, fair trials and due process are not always guaranteed. It's disproportionate in the Gulf The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which host large Indian migrant populations, particularly blue-collar workers, see a disproportionately high number of legal cases involving Indians. The UAE alone has over 2,500 Indian prisoners, with 25 on death row, the highest among all foreign nations, the MEA said. While the UAE government does not publicly release execution data, Indian authorities rely on informal channels to track developments. Often, these legal issues arise from labour disputes, identity theft, smuggling or violent altercations under stressful working conditions. In some cases, convictions have stemmed from being at the wrong place at the wrong time or falling into the trap of illegal networks. Execution: Malaysia to Saudi Arabia Between 2023 and 2024, multiple Indians were executed in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Malaysia, with at least three executions reported in each of the first two nations in 2024 alone. In 2023, five Indians were executed in both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, highlighting how quickly legal decisions can escalate to capital punishment in these jurisdictions. While India has a strong record of advocating for its citizens abroad, it has no leverage to overturn criminal verdicts in sovereign countries. The government can support legal appeals, coordinate with NGOs and facilitate mercy petitions, but the final decision lies with the host country's judiciary or head of state. Accountability of vulnerabile? These troubling cases underline the precarious situation of Indian nationals abroad, especially migrant workers and low-income expatriates who often lack access to legal resources. Although the government asserts that the 'safety, security, and well-being' of Indians overseas remains a top priority, the sheer scale of cases — over 10,000 prisoners globally — makes individual intervention a monumental task. In addition to formal diplomatic mechanisms, community-led initiatives, such as the Save Nimisha Priya – International Action Council, have played a crucial role in raising awareness and facilitating on-ground negotiations. These groups help circumvent bureaucratic delays and create direct lines of communication with families, local authorities and even informal power holders like tribal sheikhs in Yemen. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The way forward To reduce such instances, there is a growing call for stronger pre-departure awareness programmes for Indian migrants, particularly those going to countries with strict legal systems. Educational campaigns about local laws, cultural norms and legal rights could serve as a first line of defence. Furthermore, there is a need for bilateral legal aid treaties, expedited consular access, and designated legal defence funds to ensure that Indian nationals are not left to fend for themselves. India's expansive diplomatic presence provides the necessary infrastructure to lead such reforms, but political will and sustained funding are crucial. The plight of Indians like Nimisha Priya reflects the dark underbelly of global migration, where dreams of better lives sometimes end in legal nightmares. While the Indian government continues to assist and intervene where possible, the reality remains that sovereign law takes precedence abroad. As more Indians seek opportunities overseas, equipping them with knowledge, legal support, and institutional backing is not just a diplomatic responsibility, it is a humanitarian imperative.
News18
4 hours ago
- News18
Sunni Cleric Joins Final Push To Save Indian Nurse On Yemen Death Row: 'Only Option Is...'
Last Updated: The nurse's lawyer, Subhash Chandran, said that efforts are underway to save her life through the intervention of an influential Sunni Muslim cleric A top Sunni Muslim cleric has joined the efforts to convince the victim's family to accept blood money, the only legal route left to save the life of Indian Nurse Nimisha Priya, whose execution date has been set for July 16. Priya, a native of Kerala, is reportedly on death row at the Central prison in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, for the alleged murder of her Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi, in 2017. The nurse's lawyer, Subhash Chandran, said that efforts are underway to save her life through the intervention of influential Sunni Muslim cleric Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar. He added that through Musliyar, who holds the title of Grand Mufti of India and known as Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, they have reached out to one of the family members, as well as some local authorities and religious leaders. 'We are trying our best so that the family accepts the blood money and the Kerala nurse is spared from death row," Chandran told TNIE. As part of the final negotiations, Musliyar has personally reached out to the victim's family and is making 'all possible efforts" to initiate a process of reconciliation. He has reportedly engaged in discussions with religious leaders in Yemen, who are themselves in communication with the victim's family, according to reports. Attorney General R Venkataramani told the bench that, given the sensitive situation and the conditions in Yemen, the government's ability to intervene is limited. According to reports, Priya has been working as a medical professional in prison, providing care to other inmates. Nimisha Priya Case She had moved to Yemen in 2008 to support her parents financially. After gaining experience in various hospitals, she eventually opened her own clinic. In line with Yemeni laws requiring foreign nationals to have a local partner for business ventures, the 37-year-old entered into a partnership with a Yemeni citizen, Talal Abdo Mehdi, who allegedly subjected her to ongoing harassment. Mehdi had reportedly taken possession of her passport. In 2017, Priya administered sedatives to him, intending to recover the passport while he was unconscious. However, Mehdi died, and Priya was arrested while trying to leave the country. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Russia Blows Up Ukraine's Radar Site After Trump's 50-Day Ultimatum To Putin
Kerala Nurse On Death Row in Yemen: Only Blood Money Can Save Nimisha Priya, Centre Tells SC The Indian government told the Supreme Court that it has limited options in the case of Nimisha Priya, a Kerala nurse on death row in Yemen. Scheduled to be executed on July 16, Nimisha is accused of murdering her abusive partner, a Yemeni national. Her family has offered ₹8.6 crore as blood money under Sharia law, but the government says it can only operate through private channels, as India has no diplomatic ties with Yemen, which is controlled by Houthi rebels. The Attorney General stated that going public could make matters worse. The Supreme Court has listed the next hearing for July 18, two days after the planned execution.#nimishapriya #yemenexecution #keralanurse #bloodmoney #indiayemencrisis #supremecourtindia #nimishapriyacase #toi #toibharat #bharat #trending #breakingnews #indianews 30.7K views | 16 hours ago
