Urgent Situation for Indian Nurse on Death Row
Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala, India, finds herself in a dire situation as she faces execution in Yemen. Convicted of murdering a Yemeni citizen, Talal Abdo Mehdi, in 2017, Priya has been on death row since 2018. Her execution is scheduled for July 16, and time is running out for any chance of reprieve.
Reports indicate that Priya moved to Yemen in 2008 to work as a nurse in a government-run hospital in Sanaa. After leaving her job in 2014 to start her own clinic, she partnered with Mehdi under Yemeni law requiring a local business partner. Allegations suggest that she endured betrayal and abuse from Mehdi, which ultimately led to the tragic incident for which she was convicted.
Exploring the Option of Blood Money
Under Sharia law, as practiced in Yemen, there remains a glimmer of hope for Priya through the concept of 'blood money.' This practice allows for a pardon if the victim's family agrees to accept financial compensation. Campaigners and legal representatives have emphasized that this could be Priya's last chance to avoid execution.
Priya's family, along with supportive organizations like the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, has been actively working to negotiate with Mehdi's family. Priya's mother, Prema Kumari, has traveled to Sanaa to directly engage in discussions, offering a reported sum of $1 million to secure forgiveness. Advocate Subhash Chandran has also submitted before the Supreme Court of India that this avenue of blood money should be explored as a potential solution.
Samuel Jerome Baskaran, speaking from Yemen, clarified misconceptions about the process, stating, 'There is nothing called blood money. If the family forgives, then there is a money to be paid that is called the blood money. Families don't forgive because money is being paid.'
Diplomatic Efforts and International Support
Beyond family efforts, there have been calls for diplomatic intervention to save Priya. The Indian government has reportedly approved a transfer of $40,000 to initiate discussions regarding her release. Additionally, posts found on X indicate that Iran has been approached by Yemen's Houthis, though they have stated that the case remains within the legal domain and only courts can decide her fate.
The urgency of Priya's situation has garnered attention from various groups, including political figures in India like the Congress party, which has sought immediate intervention. As the execution date looms, the combined efforts of family, activists, and diplomatic channels continue to focus on securing a pardon through negotiations with the victim's family, hoping to turn financial compensation into a lifeline for Nimisha Priya.