Indian Nurse on Death Row in Yemen Awaits Family's Pardon as Last Hope
The family of Nimisha Priya, a 34-year-old Indian nurse facing execution in Yemen, clings to a desperate bid for her survival. Nimisha, convicted of killing her former business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi, has spent years in Sanaa’s central prison awaiting the death penalty. The only way to halt her execution now is through a pardon from the victim’s family under Yemen’s Sharia law.
In 2017, Mahdi’s dismembered body was found in a water tank, leading to Nimisha’s arrest and subsequent trial. She was accused of sedating him fatally and disposing of his body. Nimisha, however, claims the incident was an accident during an attempt to retrieve her passport, which Mahdi had allegedly seized.
Despite exhausting legal appeals, including a rejection from Yemen’s Supreme Court, her family remains hopeful. Nimisha’s case took a grim turn recently when the Houthi-led government approved her execution. Now, her fate lies in the hands of Mahdi’s family, who hold the power to grant clemency.
Blood Money as a Lifeline
The only path to securing a pardon is through “diyah,” or blood money. For months, Nimisha’s family and supporters have raised funds, amassing $40,000 to offer Mahdi’s family. However, negotiations have stalled, partly due to delays in transferring the money.
Samuel Jerome, a social worker based in Yemen and a legal representative for Nimisha’s mother, explains that forgiveness is the first hurdle. “Even if they choose to pardon her, the acceptance of blood money comes later,” he said. Yemen’s laws prohibit direct contact between the families, so hired negotiators must mediate discussions.
Subhash Chandran, a lawyer aiding the family, emphasizes the critical role of the Indian government in advancing negotiations. “We need their continued support to open dialogues with the victim’s family,” he said.
India’s foreign ministry has assured the family of its assistance, but time is running out.
A Mother’s Fight for Survival
Nimisha’s mother, Prema Kumari, traveled to Sanaa last year after securing court permission in India. She has met her daughter twice in prison. Recalling their first reunion, Ms. Kumari said, “Nimisha was worried for me, asking me to stay strong and believe in God.” Her second visit included prayers led by nuns who accompanied her.
Nimisha’s husband, Tony Thomas, remains determined to save her life. “We believe there’s still hope for a settlement,” he said. Holding their wedding album near their modest kitchen, he speaks with a mix of resolve and anguish. Their 13-year-old daughter, who speaks to her mother weekly, longs for a reunion. “She’s never known her mother’s love fully. How will she cope without her?” he asks.
A Life Turned Upside Down
Nimisha’s journey to Yemen began when she was just 19. Determined to lift her family out of poverty, she worked as a nurse in Sanaa before returning to India to marry Thomas, a tuk-tuk driver. Together, they moved to Yemen, but financial struggles soon forced Thomas to return to India with their daughter.
In an effort to improve her income, Nimisha opened a clinic with Mahdi, as Yemeni law required her to partner with a local. Initially cordial, their relationship soured after Yemen’s civil war erupted in 2014. According to her family, Mahdi became abusive, taking her money, passport, and even threatening her life.
The family’s petition claims Mahdi’s actions drove Nimisha to desperate measures, culminating in the events that led to his death. Despite these claims, Yemen’s courts upheld the death sentence.
A Plea for Mercy
As the clock ticks, Nimisha’s family pins their hopes on the possibility of forgiveness. “We won’t give up,” says Thomas. “Our daughter deserves her mother, and Nimisha deserves a chance at life.”
For Nimisha, the wait continues behind prison walls, unaware of the developments unfolding beyond them. “All she wants to know is if our daughter is okay,” Thomas says. With prayers and negotiations ongoing, her family hopes compassion will triumph over vengeance.
