The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed its awareness of Nimisha Priya’s death sentence in Yemen. The government has assured that all possible support is being extended to help her. Nimisha, an Indian nurse, was convicted of the alleged murder of her Yemeni sponsor, Talal Abdo Mahdi, in 2017.
Speaking to the media, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We are aware of the sentencing of Ms. Nimisha Priya in Yemen. Her family is exploring legal options, and the government is providing all possible assistance.”
Case Background
Nimisha Priya, a trained nurse, had been working in private hospitals in Yemen for years. Her husband and daughter returned to India in 2014 due to financial struggles. The civil war in Yemen that same year halted new visas, preventing her from reuniting with her family.
In 2015, Nimisha collaborated with Mahdi to open a clinic in Sana. Under Yemeni law, only citizens can establish clinics, so she needed Mahdi’s help. However, her family alleged that Mahdi manipulated ownership documents, took control of her earnings, and falsely claimed she was his wife. He reportedly harassed her for years, seizing her passport and leaving her unable to leave Yemen.
According to a plea by Nimisha’s mother, Mahdi tortured her under the influence of drugs, threatened her with a gun, and extorted money and valuables from her. Despite complaining to local police, she was jailed for six days. Upon her release, the abuse intensified.
The Incident
In 2017, Nimisha tried to retrieve her passport from Mahdi by sedating him. Her aim was to render him unconscious, but Mahdi, reportedly a substance abuser, was not affected. She attempted again using a stronger sedative, but he died from an overdose within minutes. This led to her arrest and subsequent trial.
Legal Journey
In 2018, a Yemeni trial court sentenced Nimisha to death, and the Supreme Court upheld the verdict in 2023. Yemen’s President, Rashad Al Alimi, approved her death sentence recently, with the execution scheduled within a month.
Government Support
The Indian government continues to monitor the case closely and is assisting Nimisha’s family in exploring all possible legal and diplomatic channels to help her.
Stay tuned for updates on this ongoing case as efforts continue to save Nimisha Priya.
