The Nimisha Priya case is a high-profile one involving an Indian nurse from the southern state of Kerala who has been sentenced to death in Yemen for the murder of a Yemeni national. 

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Her case has led to considerable sympathy in her home state, and it has been all over Indian media. 

Also read: Iran offers its good office in Nimisha Priya case

Her story

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Nimisha Priya, originally from Palakkad, Kerala, moved to Yemen in 2008 to work as a nurse. She had partnered with a Yemeni national Mahdi to open a clinic due to Yemeni laws that require foreign nationals to have a local partner for business ventures. Their relationship deteriorated, with Mahdi allegedly abusing and torturing her, taking her passport, and falsely claiming that they were married.

The crime

She was imprisoned in Yemen for killing the Yemeni national, Talal Abdo Mahdi, in 2017. The murder was allegedly in self-defence or an unintended consequence of an attempt to retrieve her passport, which Mahdi had confiscated. 

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After his death, she and another nurse, Hannan, allegedly dismembered his body and disposed it off in a water tank. 

Also read: Yemen sanctions death sentence to Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, India responds

The punishment

Priya was sentenced to death in 2020 by a Yemeni court. While the sentencing was announced much earlier, it has now been confirmed by the Houthi leadership in Sana’a.

The incident took place in areas of Yemen that are under the control of Houthis, and that has led to further complications. 

The help

There have been various efforts to secure her release, including payment of "blood money". Under Islamic law, "diyya" or blood money, can be paid to the victim's family to forgive the crime and waive the death penalty. Efforts include raising funds for this purpose and around $40,000 has been collected. A "Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council" has also been established. Her family has been trying to negotiate with Mahdi's family.

Also read: Nimisha Priya case: Mother, daughter reunite in Yemeni jail after a wait of 7 years

Indian government's stance

India's Ministry of External Affairs has said that it is extending all help. In a statement on 31st December, MEA said, "We are aware of the sentencing of Ms. Nimisha Priya in Yemen. We understand that the family of Ms. Priya is exploring relevant options. The government is extending all possible help in the matter."

International support

In a significant development, Iran has offered its good office in the case. A senior Iranian official said, "We will take up the issue of this nurse...we will do whatever we can. Anything we can do... We will not hesitate." This is a significant gesture from Tehran in this case.