Nimisha Priya’s Family Offers $1M to Spare Her from Yemen Death Penalty

Convicted in 2020, her appeals were rejected by Yemen’s Supreme Judicial Council in 2023, and on July 9, 2025, the Houthi-led Supreme Political Council approved her execution, set for July 16. Priya’s case has drawn attention due to allegations of abuse by Mahdi, including theft, physical torture, and passport confiscation, which she claims drove her to act in desperation.

Indian Nurse Faces Death in Yemen

Under Yemen’s Sharia law, Priya’s life could be spared if Mahdi’s family accepts “diyya,” or blood money, as compensation for their loss. Her family, supported by the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, has offered $1 million (approximately Rs 85 lakh) to secure a pardon. This substantial sum, raised through crowdfunding and personal sacrifices, including her mother selling her home, reflects their desperate bid to save her. Negotiations with Mahdi’s family are ongoing, but their acceptance remains uncertain.

Kerala Nurse's Death Sentence

Priya moved to Yemen in 2008 to support her family, eventually opening a clinic with Mahdi as her local partner, as required by Yemeni law. Their relationship soured when Mahdi allegedly embezzled funds and abused her. In 2017, Priya attempted to sedate him to retrieve her passport, but an accidental overdose led to his death. Panicking, she and another nurse disposed of his body, leading to her arrest. Her trial, conducted in Arabic without an interpreter, has raised concerns about fairness.

Nimisha Priya's Life Hangs in Balance

The Indian government is providing support, with the Ministry of External Affairs exploring options to facilitate negotiations. Priya’s mother, Prema Kumari, has been in Yemen since April 2024, enduring emotional hardship while pleading for her daughter’s life. As the execution date looms, advocates urge intervention from tribal leaders to sway Mahdi’s family.