Nurse on death row in Yemen sees end near
Hyphen Web Desk
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Nimisha Priya, a 34-year-old nurse from Kerala, currently facing the death penalty in Yemen, has voiced concern regarding the scheduling of her execution.
In an audio message sent to Jayan Edappal, convenor of the Save Nimisha Priya Action Council, Priya disclosed receiving a call from a female counsel informing her that the execution order had been finalized and communicated to prison authorities. She expressed uncertainty about the credibility of this information and questioned whether her execution might occur after Ramadan.
The Save Nimisha Priya Action Council, dedicated to securing her release, has been actively seeking avenues to prevent the execution. Subhash Chandra, a lawyer associated with the council, noted that Priya occasionally contacts them using a phone provided by the prison authorities. He confirmed the authenticity of the recent message but mentioned that subsequent attempts to reach her for further clarification have been unsuccessful.
Samuel Jerome, a human rights activist holding the power of attorney for Priya's mother, stated that there has been no official confirmation regarding the execution date. He highlighted that Yemeni courts are currently on holiday due to Ramadan, suggesting that the execution could occur at any moment after Eid, making the upcoming week crucial for Priya's case.
Priya's ordeal began in 2017 when she was arrested and subsequently convicted for the murder of Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi. Reports indicate that Mahdi had allegedly confiscated her passport and subjected her to harassment, leading to a fatal confrontation. In December 2024, Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi sanctioned her death sentence, with the execution initially anticipated within a month.
Efforts to secure Priya's release have centered around negotiations for 'blood money' with the victim's family, a provision under Islamic law that allows for pardoning a death sentence in exchange for compensation. Despite ongoing discussions, these negotiations have encountered multiple setbacks, and no agreement has been reached thus far.
The Save Nimisha Priya Action Council, dedicated to securing her release, has been actively seeking avenues to prevent the execution. Subhash Chandra, a lawyer associated with the council, noted that Priya occasionally contacts them using a phone provided by the prison authorities. He confirmed the authenticity of the recent message but mentioned that subsequent attempts to reach her for further clarification have been unsuccessful.
Samuel Jerome, a human rights activist holding the power of attorney for Priya's mother, stated that there has been no official confirmation regarding the execution date. He highlighted that Yemeni courts are currently on holiday due to Ramadan, suggesting that the execution could occur at any moment after Eid, making the upcoming week crucial for Priya's case.
Priya's ordeal began in 2017 when she was arrested and subsequently convicted for the murder of Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi. Reports indicate that Mahdi had allegedly confiscated her passport and subjected her to harassment, leading to a fatal confrontation. In December 2024, Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi sanctioned her death sentence, with the execution initially anticipated within a month.
Efforts to secure Priya's release have centered around negotiations for 'blood money' with the victim's family, a provision under Islamic law that allows for pardoning a death sentence in exchange for compensation. Despite ongoing discussions, these negotiations have encountered multiple setbacks, and no agreement has been reached thus far.
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