India vows support for Kerala nurse sentenced to death in Yemen

In Yemen, an Indian nurse named Nimisha Priya was sentenced to death after being convicted of murdering her business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi, in 2017. Priya, who originally hailed from Kollengode in Kerala, had moved to Yemen in 2008 to provide financial support for her family, who are daily wage labourers. Over the years, she worked in various hospitals before opening her own clinic. The tensions escalated in 2017 when Priya opposed Mahdi's alleged embezzlement of funds. Following a dispute, she attempted to retrieve her passport from Mahdi by administering a sedative, inadvertently causing his death due to an overdose. Priya was arrested while trying to escape the country and was convicted in 2018. A court in Sanaa sentenced her to death in 2020. In November 2023, Yemen's Supreme Judicial Council upheld her sentence but left open the possibility of paying diya, or blood money, as a form of compensation for Mahdi's family. India's Ministry of External Affairs initiated efforts to support Priya’s case, expressing awareness of her sentencing and extending all possible assistance to her family. Priya's family has been exploring legal options to save her life, including negotiating with Mahdi’s relatives for blood money. They have sought assistance from various groups, including the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, which helps raise funds for these negotiations. The group reportedly raised $40,000 for pre-negotiation with Yemeni clan chiefs to persuade Mahdi's family to forgive Priya in exchange for diya. However, negotiations have faced challenges, including demands from the Indian Embassy's legal counsel for more funds, complicating efforts to reach an agreement. Priya's case has drawn attention not only due to her situation but also concerning the broader implications for Indians working overseas. Various reports highlight the struggles faced by expatriates in fragile or perilous situations, raising questions about the legal protections afforded to foreign nationals in such countries. Support groups, including her family members and concerned citizens, have united in an attempt to save her, revealing the human capacity for compassion in dire circumstances. Despite these efforts, the complexities of tribal and legal dynamics in Yemen have posed significant hurdles for advocates. With the execution potentially set to occur within a month, the urgency for actionable diplomatic interventions is paramount, as Priya's family remains hopeful for a resolution that avoids the death penalty.