New Delhi/Sanaa – July 8, 2025:
Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, a native of Kerala, is set to be executed in Yemen on July 16, 2025, following her conviction in the 2017 murder of her Yemeni business partner. The case has sparked a wave of public concern, diplomatic urgency, and humanitarian appeals, as the final deadline for intervention rapidly approaches.
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A Tragic Turn in a Promising Career
Nimisha Priya, who moved to Yemen in 2008 to work as a nurse, had initially found success in the healthcare sector. In 2015, she entered into a business partnership with Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi to open a medical clinic—a legal requirement under local law. However, the partnership reportedly turned abusive. Priya later accused Mahdi of physical assault and of illegally withholding her passport, which effectively trapped her in the country.
In a desperate attempt to retrieve her passport and escape Yemen, Priya allegedly sedated Mahdi using veterinary drugs in July 2017. The sedative proved fatal. In a panic, she and a colleague dismembered his body and disposed of the remains in a water tank. Priya was arrested shortly after and has remained in custody since.
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Death Sentence Upheld
A Yemeni trial court sentenced Priya to death in 2020. Subsequent appeals were rejected, and in late 2024, the Yemen Supreme Judicial Council upheld the verdict. With all legal avenues exhausted, the date of her execution was officially set for July 16, 2025. Indian officials have confirmed the receipt of the final execution warrant.
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Diplomatic and Humanitarian Efforts
Under Sharia law, Yemeni courts permit a form of clemency known as diyah (blood money), wherein the victim's family can pardon the accused in exchange for financial compensation.
Priya’s family and supporters have raised over $40,000 toward the diyah and have been attempting to negotiate with Mahdi’s family for a pardon.
Her mother, Prema Kumari, traveled to Sanaa earlier this year to directly plead for her daughter’s life. “My daughter deserves a second chance. She is not a criminal. She was trying to escape a nightmare,” she said in a recent interview.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has stated it is closely monitoring the situation and extending all possible assistance, despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations with Houthi-controlled Yemen.
Even Iran has reportedly offered to mediate on Priya’s behalf, given its influence in the region.
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Concerns Over Legal Proceedings
Human rights activists have raised red flags about the legal process Priya endured:
She allegedly lacked a proper translator or legal counsel during her trial.
No Indian diplomatic official was present during key hearings due to regional restrictions and ongoing conflict in Yemen.
“This is not just a legal issue; it is a humanitarian crisis,” said an activist associated with the ‘Save Nimisha’ campaign. “She was a victim before she was accused of a crime. She needs support, not a noose.”
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Race Against Time
With only days remaining, Priya’s life now hinges on one of two possibilities:
1. A successful agreement on blood money with Mahdi’s family.
2. A rare diplomatic breakthrough involving Indian and regional actors, including possible intervention by tribal leaders or mediators.
Her daughter, now 13 years old and living in Kerala, has reportedly remained in regular contact with her mother via monitored calls from prison. “I just want my Amma to come home,” she told local media.
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Public and Government Appeals
Public sentiment in India continues to grow, with several petitions and social media campaigns urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of External Affairs to intervene more forcefully. Demonstrations have also been held in Kerala, demanding justice and mercy for the embattled nurse.
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Conclusion
As the execution date of July 16 looms, the world watches anxiously. The fate of Nimisha Priya is no longer just about a court ruling—it has become a test of diplomacy, justice, and compassion in a world where conflict often overshadows humanity.
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Report by: [TCO News Desk]
Source: India Today, NDTV, The Hindu, BBC, Wikipedia, Gulf News