Indian Nurse Nimisha Priya Facing Death Sentence in Yemen: Diplomatic Challenges and Last Ditch Efforts
A growing humanitarian crisis looms as Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala, faces execution in Yemen on July 16, 2025, following her conviction in a 2017 murder case. The sentence, issued by a court operating under Houthi control in Sana’a, has triggered widespread concern across India and the international community over legal irregularities and diplomatic limitations.
Case Background and Legal Developments
In 2017, Nimisha Priya allegedly administered sedatives to her Yemeni business partner in an attempt to recover her confiscated passports. The act resulted in his death.
She was convicted in 2020, and the verdict was upheld in 2023 by a Houthi-run court.
Although Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi reportedly approved the execution, sources indicate that the case remains under Houthi jurisdiction, and formal presidential ratification may not have occurred.
India’s Diplomatic and Legal Stand
The Indian government, in a submission to the Supreme Court, stated that the only viable option to halt the execution is through payment of blood money (diyah)—a provision under Yemeni law.
Due to the absence of an Indian embassy in Yemen and the complexities of dealing with non-state actors in a conflict zone, New Delhi has emphasized the severe diplomatic constraints in securing a resolution.
With time running out, urgent efforts are underway by rights groups, legal advocates, and diplomatic channels to negotiate a last-minute settlement and save Nimisha Priya’s life.
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