37 -year -old nurse Nimisha Priya of Kerala is to be hanged in Yemen on 16 July 2025. He is accused of killing Yamani citizen Talal Abdo Mahdi in 2017. Nimisha is lodged in Sana’s jail, which is under the control of Huti rebels. The Government of India and his family are making every effort to save them, but the time is short.
Nimisha went to Yemen in 2008 in search of a better life. In 2014, he opened a clinic with Talal, as foreigners need local partners in the Yemeni law. Nimisha claims that Talal exploited physically, mental and financially. He tried to make Talal unconscious so that he could withdraw his passport, but Talal died due to accidental increase in the drug. In 2018, the Yemeni Court sentenced him to death, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2023.
To save Nimisha, ‘Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council’ raised $ 40,000 through crowdfunding. In the Yemeni law, punishment can be forgiven by giving ‘diyat’ or blood money, but the conversation with Talal’s family has stopped. Nimisha’s mother Prema Kumari has been in Yemen for the last one year and has been apologizing to the family. Social activist Samuel Jerome is also engaged in conversation.
The Government of India is monitoring the matter, but due to lack of diplomatic relations with Huti rebels, difficulties are increasing. In 2024, the Delhi High Court allowed Prema and Nimisha’s daughter to go to Yemen. In January 2025, Iran offered help using the Huti influence, but no concrete result was found.
Nimisha’s family and supporters hope that Talal’s family will forgive at the last moment. If blood money is not agreed or the government is not intervened, then it may be hanged on 16 July. The matter is questioning the safety of human rights and migrant workers in India.
