Iran’s offer to mediate comes after Yemen’s President, Rashad al-Alimi, upheld the 2024 death sentence for Nimisha Priya, a Kerala nurse imprisoned since 2017 for the murder of Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi
Published Jan 02, 2025 | 6:56 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 02, 2025 | 6:56 PM
Nimisha Priya. (Sourced)
In a significant development, Iran has offered to mediate in the case of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse sentenced to death in Yemen for the murder of a Yemeni national.
The offer comes after Yemen’s President, Rashad al-Alimi, upheld the death sentence for Priya, which had been initially passed in 2024.
Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala, has been incarcerated in Yemen since 2017 following her conviction for the murder of Talal Abdo Mahdi.
Talal, a local Yemeni man, was found dismembered in a water tank, leading to Priya’s arrest and trial. On 30 December, 2024, Yemeni authorities confirmed the death sentence, despite prolonged negotiations and diplomatic attempts to resolve the matter.
Originally from a modest background in Kerala, Priya moved to Yemen in 2008 and worked as a nurse at a government hospital in Sanaa.
Discontented with the low wages, she left her job in 2014 to open her own clinic, as required by Yemeni law, which mandates foreign nationals to partner with a local citizen to operate a business.
She entered into a partnership with Talal, a local shopkeeper, which later turned sour and culminated in Talal’s tragic death.
The investigation into Talal’s death led to Priya’s conviction for murder, but efforts to negotiate a resolution with his tribal leaders and family ultimately failed.
In a move that could have major diplomatic implications, Iran has stepped forward to offer its assistance. Dr. Takht Ravanchi, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is currently on a diplomatic visit to India, told reporters, “On humanitarian grounds, we are willing to do whatever we can to help mediate the situation.”
South First tried to contact Premakumari, the mother of Nimisha Priya, but she is currently in Yemen along with activists from the Save Nimisha Priya Action Council.
Babu John, an activist involved in the relief efforts, expressed optimism about recent developments. Speaking to South First, he said, “Our hopes are now high. Iran’s intervention has given a significant boost to our efforts. We sincerely thank the Union Government for taking this important step.”
He further added that if the family of the victim, Talal Abdo Mahdi, agrees to accept blood money and grant a pardon, Nimisha Priya’s life could be saved
“We are prepared to pay the blood money. This assurance has already been conveyed to Premakumari, and she too felt a sense of relief upon hearing this. A door to save Nimisha Priya from the death sentence is about to open,” Babu John stated.
(Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)
