Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse on death row. A Kerala-born nurse is facing imminent execution in Yemen after being convicted of the 2017 killing of her business partner. She asserts self-defence and accidental overdose in a case complicated by alleged abuse and legal shortcomings. The main hope now lies in securing a tribal pardon through “blood money” and diplomatic intervention, with a firm execution date looming.
Born in 1989, Nimisha grew up in Kerala and trained as a nurse thanks to local support. she moved to Sana’a, Yemen, in 2008 to work in hospitals and later aimed to open her clinic
The Indian government approved the transfer of $40,000 to initiate discussions about releasing Priya Nimisha.
Nimisha Priya case: What is ‘blood money’?
Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala, is on death row in Yemen after being convicted of murdering a Yemeni man in 2017. pic.twitter.com/q1geAgCAw7
— Civil Learning (@CivilLearning1) June 22, 2024
Clinic, Abuse & Murder
- In 2015, she opened the Al Aman Medical Clinic with Yemeni partner Talal Abdo Mahdi, co-owner and sponsor required by law
- Nimisha alleges Mahdi abused her, confiscated her passport, and falsely claimed she was his wife
- In July 2017, she sedated Talal with the intent to retrieve her passport; he died from an apparent overdose. His body was reportedly dismembered and disposed of in a water tank
Legal Proceedings & Death Sentence
- Arrested in August 2017, tried in Arabic without proper interpretation or legal support
- Sentenced to death in 2018 by a Yemeni court; the Supreme Court and judiciary council upheld the verdict in 2023
- In late 2024, President Rashad al‑Alimi formally approved the execution order. The date, set for July 16 2025, was confirmed by prison authorities,
Diplomatic & Family Efforts
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs is providing consular assistance and working with mediators
- A crowdfunded fund of at least US$40,000 was raised as “blood money” (diyā) to seek a pardon, but negotiations stalled due to unpaid tribal fees
- Iran has offered to help mediate, given Houthis control in Sana’a.
- In April 2024, her mother, Prema Kumari, visited her in prison after 11 years, amid efforts to secure clemency
Indian nurse on death row?
- Under Yemeni/Sharia law, a pardon and commutation of death sentence can occur if the victim’s family forgives her after receiving blood money.
- With execution scheduled for July 16, time is critically short. Her family, supported by Indian and Iranian mediation efforts, continues to appeal for diplomatic and tribal intervention