Why Has Indian Nurse Nimisha Priya Been Sentenced To Death In Yemen?
According to reports, Indian nurse Nimisha Priya she is set to be executed in Yemen on July 16.
Nimisha Priya, a 37‑year‑old Indian nurse from Kollengode, Palakkad (Kerala), has been convicted of murdering her Yemeni business partner Talal Abdo Mahdi in July 2017. According to reports, she is set to be executed in Yemen on July 16. Human rights activist Samuel Jerome Baskaran, who has been actively involved in outreach to Yemeni authorities and the victim's family, said, 'The public prosecutor has issued the execution order to prison authorities. The execution is set for July 16,"adding that the Government of India can still step in to help save her life.
What Is The Nimisha Priya Case?
Nimisha Priya is a 37-year-old Indian nurse from Kerala who moved to Yemen in 2008 for better career opportunities. Like many Indian nurses working abroad, she was motivated by financial responsibilities back home and took up work in a private hospital in Sana'a.
In 2015, Nimisha entered into a business partnership with Mahdi, who agreed to help her run a clinic since Yemeni laws restrict foreign nationals from owning such facilities outright. According to Nimisha and her supporters, Mahdi began to exploit her: confiscating her passport, misappropriating funds, allegedly abusing her physically, and threatening her freedom of movement.
In July 2017, Nimisha attempted to sedate Mahdi by injecting him with sedatives to recover her passport. But the dosage proved fatal. Panicked, she and a colleague dismembered Mahdi's body and tried to conceal the crime by disposing of the remains in a water tank.
The Arrest, Conviction And Death Sentence
Nimisha was arrested at the Yemeni border in August 2017. In 2018, she was tried by a Yemeni criminal court and sentenced to death. The court found that she had premeditated the act of injecting Mahdi with sedatives, illegally administered drugs, causing his unlawful death, dismembered his body and attempted to conceal the crime by hiding the remains in a water tank.
According to the court, these actions demonstrated intent, and the subsequent steps she took to cover up the murder further compounded the severity of the offence.
Her appeal was rejected by higher courts, and in November 2023, the Supreme Judicial Council confirmed her death sentence. Yemeni authorities, now controlled by the Houthi rebels, approved her execution, scheduling it for July 16, 2025.
Legal Dead-End and Diplomatic Hurdles
India does not maintain formal diplomatic ties with the Houthi-led administration in Sana'a, making direct government-to-government negotiations difficult. The Ministry of External Affairs has stated that it is 'engaged in efforts" to prevent her execution and continues to provide consular assistance through unofficial channels.
Yemen's legal system permits the concept of 'blood money" (diyat) — a form of financial compensation that can lead to a pardon if the victim's family agrees. Nimisha's mother and a group of volunteers have tried to reach out to Mahdi's family with an offer reportedly worth $1 million. However, no response has come so far.
Public Appeals and Ongoing Campaigns
Multiple NGOs, legal rights groups, and Indian citizens have rallied in Nimisha's support. Campaigns have been launched seeking presidential intervention and urging the Indian government to intensify its efforts. Social worker Samuel Jerome Baskaran has also traveled to Yemen and confirmed that the execution date has been officially set.
Her mother, Prema, has written letters pleading for help, and groups have demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi intervene to save her life, much like the government did in the past in the case of Indian citizen Kulbhushan Jadhav in Pakistan.
With just days to go, all eyes are on whether a last-minute reprieve — either through diya payment or a pardon — can prevent Nimisha Priya's execution.
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Indian nurse Nimisha Priya's daughter, husband in Yemen, appeal for her release
Thirteen-year-old Mishel, daughter of imprisoned Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, is now in Sana'a, Yemen, and was part of a video appeal by evangelist KA Paul to the Houthi administration to release her mother, who is on death row for a murder. Her father, Priya's husband Thomas, was also part of the video appeal, shared by news agency PTI. Evangelist KA Paul (centre) with Mishel and Thomas in a video appealing for mercy for Nimisha Priya.(Video grab/PTI)
News18
an hour ago
- News18
News18 Afternoon Digest: Three Terrorists Likely Killed In J&K, Thailand Mass Shooting Claims Six Lives & Other Top Stories
Last Updated: We are also covering: 'Do we switch off our economy': Indian envoy defends oil imports from Russia; Ben reveals what led to handshake drama: 'I wasn't going to be risking...' In today's News18 afternoon digest, we bring to you the latest updates on anti-terror operation near Srinagar, Bangkok mass shooting and other top stories. Three terrorists are believed to have been killed in an ongoing gunfight between security forces and militants in the forested area near Srinagar's Dachigam region. Read more 6 Killed In Mass Shooting At Market Near Thailand Capital Bangkok, Gunman Caught On Video Thailand Bangkok Mass Shooting: At least six people were killed after a man opened fire in a market area near Thailand's capital city, Bangkok, on Monday. The casualties included the gunman, who took his own life, and security guards at the market. Read more Google Failed To Alert Millions About Turkey Earthquake? Tech Giant Acknowledges Major Lapse Google has acknowledged that its earthquake early warning system failed to accurately notify individuals during the deadly quake in Turkey in 2023. Despite ten million people being within 98 miles of the epicentre, who could have received Google's highest level alert providing up to 35 seconds of warning time, only 469 'Take Action" warnings were issued for the initial 7.8 magnitude quake. Read more Ahaan Panday has become quite the sensation since his Bollywood debut in Mohit Suri's Saiyaara. Amid the hype surrounding Ahaan Panday, fans have discovered his private Instagram account. The username of the alleged private account is @ and it has the image of a dog playing a guitar as its display picture. Read more Ben Stokes Reveals What Led To Handshake Drama: 'I Wasn't Going To Be Risking…' England captain Ben Stokes says that the efforts of India batters Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar would have been hailed as equally good even if there wasn't a hundred against their respective names. Stokes was responding to a query on the drama that unfolded on the final day of the 4th Test between India and England when he got into an animated conversation with Jadeja and Sundar after his offer for a draw as rejected. Read more view comments First Published: July 28, 2025, 13:28 IST 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.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Australia, Ireland and beyond: Are attacks on Indians abroad on the rise?
On July 19, two Indians were brutally attacked in two separate incidents — one in Ireland's Dublin and the other in Australia's Adelaide. However, data suggests that these aren't one-off incidents and hatred against Indians is on the rise across the globe read more Data shows there has been a rise in incidents of hate-related attacks on Indians, notably on students, abroad. Representational image/AFP On July 19, an Indian man was brutally attacked by a mob in Ireland's Dublin, leaving him dripping in blood from his head to toe. On the very same day, in Australia's Adelaide, a 23-year-old Indian was brutally beaten after being ambushed by five men following a dispute over a parking spot. The two incidents occurred thousands of kilometres away, but has the same theme — hatred against Indians on foreign soil. In fact, data reveals that such attacks on Indians are rising in recent times. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We take a closer look at how a rising number of Indians are becoming victims of attacks; in some extreme cases, the incidents are even fatal. Indians attacked in Dublin On July 19, a married father of one, who had left his wife and child in India to take up a job in Dublin just weeks before, was brutally assaulted, robbed and stripped of some of his clothes in Tallaght, a suburb in the Irish capital. The attack by a gang of teenagers came after they had falsely accused the man of acting inappropriately around children. These claims were later spread online, including by prominent far-right and anti-immigrant accounts, said a report by The Irish Times. However, the Irish police, Garda, said there is no truth to accusations the man was acting inappropriately. A friend of the man, who was attacked, told The Irish Times that it all began when he had set off on foot to the Vinayaka Hindu temple in Kingswood, following a Google Maps route on July 19. While walking through Kilnamanagh, he was approached by a group of teenagers who started taunting him and asking why he was in Ireland. 'He tried explaining he'd been hired by a tech company to fill a skills gap here in Ireland. And then they hit him badly on the head. For 10 to 12 seconds he didn't know where he was and then he realised blood was oozing from his forehead.' Following the attack, the group stripped him of his pants, leaving him to wander in a dazed state through the residential area. 'He was trying to take cover and seek help; he was so ashamed. A couple of cars passed him and one man hurled abuse at him. There's a video of that.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Local resident, Jennifer Murray, who was travelling on the same route, spotted him bloodied, and gave him a blanket, waiting with him for an ambulance to arrive. An emotional Murray broke down while recounting the incident, saying the man kept thanking her repeatedly. However, while this incident has garnered a lot of attention, it isn't the only one that has occurred in Dublin. Another Indian, Vikram Jain, an Irish citizen for some years now, recounted how his tenant had also been attacked by a gang. The young man, who is studying for a master's degree at Dublin Business School, arrived back at Jain's home with a broken nose. The student was walking through Sean Walsh Park in Tallaght about 6 pm when, he said, he was approached by a group of teenagers. 'They started hurling verbal abuse at him and then they punched him in the face and all over his body,' Jain told The Irish Times. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indian student thrashed in Adelaide Notably, at the same time when the 40-year-old Indian was being beaten up in Dublin, a 23-year-old was assaulted in Adelaide following what he described as a dispute over parking and alleged racist remarks. The incident took place on Saturday night on Kintore Avenue. The man involved in the attack, identified as Charanpreet Singh, who is in the Australian city for his education, said it all unfolded when a group approached his vehicle, hurled racial slurs and then repeatedly punched him to the ground. Twenty-three-year-old Charanpreet Singh in hospital after being attacked in Adelaide, Australia. Image Courtesy: SBS/X 'They just said 'f**k off, Indian', and after that they just started punching,' Singh told 9News from his hospital bed. 'I tried to fight back, but they beat me until I was unconscious.' He sustained severe injuries, including brain trauma and multiple facial fractures. He was rushed to the hospital, where he remained under medical care overnight. The following day, the South Australia Police arrested a 20-year-old man from Enfield and charged him with assault causing harm. However, the rest of the attackers are yet to be identified. Police have appealed for public assistance in tracking them down. The assault has sparked outrage among Adelaide's Indian community and raised concerns about the safety of international students and immigrants in Australia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Prior to this, in October 2022, a 28-year-old, pursuing his PhD from in mechanical engineering from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, was brutally attacked with a knife and allegedly stabbed 11 times. The student, identified as Shubham Garg, was reportedly attacked in a racial attack. Indians assaulted on foreign soil The two recent incidents of Indians being attacked aren't one-off incidents; it's part of a growing pattern across the world. Data from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reveals that a total of 91 Indian students have been attacked abroad in the past five years. Moreover, data reveals that in the past five years, 30 students have lost their lives in such attacks. As per the numbers, there were 40 violent attacks on Indian students in 2024, 28 in 2023, four in 2022, two in 2021 and three in 2020. According to the data provided by the MEA, Canada accounted for the highest number of cases, reporting 27 violent attacks, of which 16 were fatal. Russia recorded 15 incidents with no reported deaths. Until April 2025, a total of 91 Indian students have been attacked abroad since 2020. Representational image/AFP The United Kingdom and Germany followed with 12 and 11 cases, respectively, with one death reported in each country. The United States saw nine violent attacks — all of which resulted in the deaths of Indian students. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Additionally, one fatal case each was reported from China and Kyrgyzstan. Ireland, the Philippines, Italy and Iran reported four, three, three, and one case respectively, none of which led to fatalities. Australia recorded four incidents, including one death. The MEA has also separately issued figures for attacks on Indians overseas. Eighty-six Indians were attacked in 2023 — with the most cases being reported in the US (12), the UK (10), Saudi Arabia (10) and Canada (10). This is an increase from 57 in 2022 and 29 in 2021. Separately, an RTI filed by activist Dr Vivek Pandey last year revealed that up to 28,458 Indians have died abroad in the past three years. According to the reply, 24,278 Indians died of natural causes, 1,622 in accidents, 686 due to occupational hazards, 1,736 from suicide, and 136 from violence and murder. 'Some of which [deaths] pertain to Indian students,' Praveen Kumar Munjal, Chief Public Information Officer, MEA stated. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It's left to be seen what comes next — but officials note that more needs to be done to ensure that Indians are safe abroad. With inputs from agencies
