Nimisha Priya’s Execution Halted in Yemen Following Diplomatic Efforts

The death sentence of Nimisha Priya, an Indian national imprisoned in Yemen, has been postponed. This crucial decision comes after extensive discussions held in Yemen at various levels, just as her execution was scheduled to take place tomorrow.

The favorable development for Nimisha Priya emerged from negotiations with the family of the deceased Yemeni citizen, Talal Mahmoud. Following talks between a delegation and Talal’s family, the court decided to delay the execution.

Hope for avoiding the death penalty has been ignited by these discussions, which were initiated through the intervention of Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar. Mediation efforts are ongoing with the victim’s family, as under Islamic law, the death sentence can be commuted if the family agrees to accept blood money (Diyya) and forgive Nimisha Priya.

Nimisha Priya is currently held in a prison in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen. The Indian government had previously stated that its ability to intervene at an official level was limited due to the absence of diplomatic relations with the Houthi government. India had indicated that efforts were being made through mediators.

The case dates back to July 2017, when Nimisha Priya and an accomplice were accused of murdering Yemeni citizen Abdumahdi and concealing his body in a water tank on the roof of a house. Nimisha Priya, a native of Thekinchira, Kollengode, Palakkad, was sentenced to death by a Yemeni court in 2018 after her trial.