Execution of Indian Nurse Nimisha Priya Temporarily Postponed Following Diplomatic Efforts

 The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that the execution of Indian national Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala on death row in Yemen, has been postponed. The development comes in the wake of sustained diplomatic engagement aimed at facilitating a mutually agreeable resolution between her family and the family of the deceased.

“This is a sensitive matter, and the Government of India has been extending all possible assistance,” an MEA spokesperson said during a press briefing. “Legal support has been provided, including the appointment of a lawyer, and regular consular access has been ensured. We have remained in close contact with Yemeni authorities and the concerned family members to address the situation.”

The ministry further stated that “concerted efforts in recent days” had been made to secure additional time for Ms. Priya’s family to negotiate a settlement with the victim’s family. As a result of these efforts, Yemeni authorities have postponed the execution, which was previously scheduled for July 16, 2025.

“We continue to follow the case closely and are coordinating with some friendly governments to explore all possible avenues of support,” the ministry added.

Nimisha Priya, who moved to Yemen in 2008 to work as a nurse, was convicted in 2018 for the murder of her former Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdo Mehdi. She was sentenced to death in 2020, and the verdict was upheld by Yemen’s Supreme Judicial Council in November 2023.

The case stems from an incident in 2017, when Priya allegedly attempted to sedate Talal in order to retrieve her passport, which he had reportedly withheld. The sedative allegedly led to his death, leading to her arrest and subsequent conviction.

Under Yemeni law, particularly its adherence to Sharia principles, the family of the victim holds the right to grant clemency in exchange for diyah (blood money). However, in a recent statement, the victim’s brother, Abdelfattah Mehdi, categorically rejected the possibility of a pardon, stating, “There can be no forgiveness for the crime.”

While the deferment of execution offers a narrow window of opportunity for further negotiations, the case remains complex and fraught with legal and emotional challenges. The Government of India has reiterated its commitment to pursuing all available diplomatic and legal avenues in support of Ms. Priya.