Kerala Nurse Nimisha Priya Sentenced to Death in Yemen for Murder

Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse, is currently facing a death sentence in Yemen after being convicted for the murder of a Yemeni national, Talal Abdo Mahdi. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India responded to the situation on Tuesday, highlighting that the government is providing all possible assistance in this matter. "We acknowledge the sentencing of Nimisha Priya in Yemen. The family of Priya is exploring all available options," stated Randhir Jaiswal, an MEA spokesperson.

Priya had initially been sentenced to life imprisonment in 2020 after being found guilty of killing Mahdi, who was reportedly involved in several criminal activities affecting her. She accused Mahdi of fraud and abuse, which eventually escalated into a tragic chain of events.

Who is Nimisha Priya?

Born to daily wage laborers in India, Nimisha Priya moved to Yemen in 2008 to pursue her career in nursing. Her journey to Yemen marked the beginning of a series of events that would change her life. In 2011, she married Tomy Thomas, a man from Idukki, Kerala, and the couple had a daughter in Yemen. In search of a better income, the couple decided to establish their own clinic. However, as foreigners were not permitted to register businesses in Yemen, they turned to a Yemeni national, Talal Abdo Mahdi, to become their business partner.

This partnership, which started with a deal granting Mahdi 67 per cent of the clinic's shares, soon led to complications. Mahdi reportedly began withholding profits from Nimisha. She confronted him, but rather than resolving the issue, the situation turned violent, with Nimisha alleging that Mahdi physically and sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions.

Fraud, Abuse, and Legal Struggles

Nimisha’s attempts to resolve the issues with Mahdi only worsened. Reports indicate that Mahdi manipulated a photograph of Nimisha's wedding, falsely claiming that they were married. Despite Nimisha’s protests, Mahdi allegedly submitted forged documents to the court, which accepted them, adding further complications to her case. As Mahdi’s criminal behavior escalated, he was jailed several times, both for his repeated assaults on Nimisha and his drug addiction. At one point, Mahdi even seized Nimisha’s passport, preventing her from returning to India. In a desperate bid to retrieve her documents, Nimisha allegedly sought the help of a Yemeni jail official, who suggested that she sedate Mahdi to get her passport back.

The Murder and Aftermath

In July 2017, Nimisha injected Mahdi with a sedative in an attempt to retrieve her passport. However, Mahdi reportedly died from an overdose. After his death, Nimisha, along with a fellow nurse, attempted to dispose of his body by dismembering it and hiding the remains in a water tank. Although they initially went into hiding, the police eventually apprehended them.

In 2020, a Yemeni court sentenced Nimisha to death for the murder of Mahdi. Despite appeals for a reduced sentence, her legal efforts were unsuccessful. As a result, her family and supporters have worked tirelessly to secure her release, forming the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council in 2020 to advocate for her case.

Ongoing Efforts for Her Release

In June 2024, the Indian government approved a sum of $40,000 to facilitate negotiations for Nimisha's release. The family has also sought to settle the matter through the payment of diyya, or "blood money," in an attempt to gain the victim’s family’s pardon and avoid the death sentence. Nimisha’s case continues to draw international attention, with many calling for her release and the reconsideration of her death sentence. Her supporters are urging the Yemeni government to pardon her, citing her allegations of abuse and fraud by the victim.Kerala Nurse Nimisha Priya Sentenced to Death in Yemen for Murder of Business Partner