Daijiworld Media Network - Yemen

Yemen, July 15: The execution of Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala convicted of murder in Yemen, has been temporarily halted, according to sources on Tuesday, July 15. However, the family of the victim has not yet agreed to either pardon her or accept blood money as compensation.

Nimisha was sentenced to death for the 2017 murder of her Yemeni business partner. With her execution scheduled for this week, a flurry of efforts has been underway to secure clemency. Samuel Jerome Baskaran, a member of the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council who has been based in Yemen since 1999, confirmed the postponement but added that negotiations remain inconclusive.

The case remains complicated due to the lack of Indian diplomatic presence in Sana’a, the capital of Yemen, where Nimisha is currently on death row. India does not officially recognise the authorities in power there, severely limiting formal intervention. Nevertheless, the Indian government has requested a stay on the execution and continues to pursue diplomatic efforts through informal channels, including respected religious figures.

One of the central figures in the ongoing negotiations is the Grand Mufti of India, Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar. His representatives have initiated direct dialogue with the family of Talal Abdo Mahdi, the murdered Yemeni national. Notably, this marks the first time that a close relative of the victim, including his brother, has joined the discussions.

The talks are taking place under Sharia law, which permits the victim’s family to pardon the convict either unconditionally or in exchange for diyya (blood money), a form of compensation sanctioned by Islamic jurisprudence.

As discussions continue, Nimisha Priya remains on death row while advocacy groups and religious leaders intensify efforts to resolve the matter before a final decision is made.