Hope fades for Indian nurse Nimisha Priya as Talal’s family appeals to judiciary to fix new execution date

Abdul Fattah Mahdi, brother of the slain Yemeni businessman Talal Abdo Mahdi, has renewed calls for the immediate execution of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, who was convicted of Talal’s murder in 2017. In a letter dated August 3 and addressed to Yemen’s Attorney General, Judge Abdul Salam Al-Houthi, Abdul Fattah demanded that the judiciary act swiftly to schedule a new execution date following a postponement last month.

The execution, originally slated for July 16, was deferred without any official clarification on when it would be rescheduled. According to media reports, Abdul Fattah wrote in his letter, “More than half a month has passed since the postponement, and no new date has been set. We, the victim’s family, firmly demand our right to have the sentence carried out and reject any attempts at mediation or settlement.”

The family’s stance remains unwavering, with no intention of entering into reconciliation or settlement talks. “We categorically reject all attempts at reconciliation,” Abdul Fattah said in a previous communication.

He also criticised certain sections of Indian media for suggesting that a possible compromise was in progress. “Talal’s blood will not be a commodity in the negotiation bazaar,” the letter stated, further disputing claims by religious leaders that any progress had been made through mediation. This is Abdul Fattah’s second formal request in less than a fortnight, the earlier one having been submitted on July 25.

Indian authorities deny travel clearance for clemency group

Amid the renewed demand for execution, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has declined permission for members of the Nimisha Priya International Action Council to travel to Yemen for negotiations. The government cited serious security concerns in the war-torn country, particularly in Sana’a, where Priya is being held in a Houthi-controlled prison.

Though the Supreme Court of India recently permitted the group to pursue clemency efforts with the victim’s family, the MEA reiterated that Indian nationals are still prohibited from travelling to Yemen. The ministry pointed to the absence of formal diplomatic ties and the fragile security situation as reasons for its refusal.

“The security situation in Sana’a is unstable, and recent regional developments have made travel even more dangerous. Any negotiations must be strictly between the victim’s family and Nimisha Priya’s authorised representatives,” the MEA said in a statement. India’s diplomatic mission for Yemen currently operates out of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after the Indian Embassy was relocated from Sana’a due to the conflict.

Background of the case

Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Palakkad in Kerala, was sentenced to death by a Yemeni court in 2020 for murdering her business partner Talal and hiding his body in a water tank. She had been working in Yemen for several years, and in 2015, partnered with Talal to open a clinic in Sana’a. Due to restrictions preventing foreigners from owning medical clinics, Talal’s name was used for legal registration.

According to a petition submitted by Priya’s mother, Talal misused a wedding photograph to falsely claim he was married to her and took control of the clinic's finances. The petition also alleged that he harassed Priya, confiscated her passport, and subjected her to repeated abuse, including physical violence and death threats.

Despite seeking help from local police, Priya was reportedly detained for six days, after which the abuse intensified. In July 2017, she confided in a prison official who advised her to sedate Talal and recover her passport. After an initial failed attempt, a second dose led to Talal’s death—believed to be a drug overdose possibly linked to previous substance use.