Media reports on ‘blood money’ derail trust as activist warns time is running out to save Nimisha Priya
Who Is Nimisha Priya?
Nimisha Priya, a 38-year-old nurse from Kerala, has been sentenced to death in Yemen for the murder of her Yemeni husband and former business partner, Talal Abdo Mehdi. She had moved to Yemen in 2008 to pursue better job opportunities and eventually opened her own clinic after working in several hospitals. Due to local laws, she partnered with Mr. Mehdi to run the clinic.
Reports suggest that Ms. Priya faced sustained harassment from Mr. Mehdi, who allegedly seized her passport, making it impossible for her to leave the country. In 2017, she injected him with a sedative, hoping to retrieve her passport while he was unconscious. However, the situation escalated when Mr. Mehdi died, leading to her arrest and subsequent death sentence.
Current Legal Battle and Role of Activists
Efforts to save Ms. Priya are being led by the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, a group of activists and supporters working through legal and humanitarian channels. One of the most prominent figures in this effort is Samuel Jerome, a social worker in Yemen who has been working for years to build trust with Mr. Mehdi’s family.
Mr. Jerome had developed a fragile but growing relationship with the victim’s brother, Abdelfattah Mehdi. However, recent media reports focusing on a supposed $1 million “blood money” deal have angered the family, severely damaging ongoing negotiations.
The Issue with “Blood Money” Reports
According to Mr. Jerome, the term “blood money” has been misused and sensationalized in Indian media. He insists there was no formal money deal and that the efforts have always been focused on pleading for forgiveness, not negotiating a payment.
“The term itself is very wrong. I’ve met the brother and father, and it was just pleading for mercy,” Mr. Jerome explained.
This backlash has led to a setback in the case, with Mr. Mehdi’s brother publicly stating he is no longer interested in negotiations.
Diplomatic and Legal Limitations
Ms. Priya is currently jailed in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital controlled by Houthi rebels, with whom India has no formal diplomatic ties. This has made government-level interventions extremely challenging.
India’s Attorney General R Venkataramani told the Supreme Court that the government has reached its limits in diplomatic efforts, stating,
“We cannot go there and sit and ask ‘how much money will you take?’”
Despite this, the Indian embassy in Riyadh has managed to secure a temporary stay on her execution, though no new date has been announced.
Misinformation in the Media
Recent reports falsely claimed that a prominent Islamic cleric from Kerala, the Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, had intervened in the case by contacting Yemeni religious leaders. However, sources have confirmed there was no such communication, and the victim’s family has not agreed to a pardon or accepted compensation.
What Happens Next?
While the postponement of Ms. Priya’s execution is a positive sign, there is no confirmation of clemency. If the victim’s family demands justice or stages a protest, the execution could be rescheduled soon.
“Everybody is now very angry… things have to cool down,” Mr. Jerome warned. “We don’t have much time.”
Summary of the Case
- Name: Nimisha Priya
- Age: 38
- Profession: Nurse from Kerala, India
- Country of Detention: Yemen (in Houthi-controlled Sanaa)
- Charges: Murder of Talal Abdo Mehdi in 2017
- Sentence: Death penalty
- Current Status: Execution temporarily stayed; diplomatic and activist efforts ongoing
