Although the postponement of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya’s execution has brought some relief to her family, numerous challenges remain in the effort to commute her death sentence. Mediation efforts held at various levels resulted in the indefinite postponement of the execution, which had been expected to be held on July 16. However, the family of the victim, Yemeni citizen Talal Abdo Mahdi, has not yet agreed to the talks.
Nimisha, a native of Palakkad in Kerala, has been incarcerated in Yemeni prison since 2018 after she was found guilty of the murder of Mahdi, her former business partner. She is accused of injecting Mahdi, who had reportedly abused and extorted her, with a sedative, following which he collapsed and died.
A social media post by Mahdi's brother, Talal Abdul Fattah Mahdi, suggests that the decision to defer the execution was unexpected. Rejecting the possibility of accepting blood money — a form of compensation paid by a convict to the victim's family — Abdul Fattah Mahdi wrote that they would wait for justice, no matter how long the road.
In his post written in Arabic, Abdul Fattah Mahdi said that he was not surprised by the reconciliation attempts, as there had been behind-the-scenes efforts in the past. He emphasised that their stance had not changed, and reiterated the family's demand for qisas — retribution — as the only acceptable outcome.
“The pressures we’ve faced haven’t changed us. Our demand is clear: retribution (Qisas), and nothing else, no matter what,” he wrote.
He expressed disappointment at the postponement of the execution, saying it was unexpected — especially since, according to him, the authorities were fully aware of the family's complete rejection of any reconciliation attempts. “In any case, what comes after setting an execution date is harder than what came before. We will pursue it until it is carried out. A delay will not deter us, and pressure will not shake us — for blood cannot be bought… truth is never forgotten… and justice is coming, no matter how long the road. It’s just a matter of time — and from God, we seek help," he added.
Several Yemeni social media accounts have also criticised the attempts to commute the death sentence by paying blood money.
Negotiation continues
The intervention of senior Sunni leader Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, also known as Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, has reportedly been helpful in reaching out to Yemeni leaders, which eventually led to the postponement of execution. Expat and activist Samuel Jerome, along with Nimisha Priya’s mother, Premakumari, have been staying in Yemen for the past few years to co-ordinate talks.
Subhash Chandran, a Supreme Court lawyer and member of Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, told TNM that the negotiation would be a time consuming process. "We haven't started discussion over blood money as every member of the victim's family has to be convinced first," he said. According to Subash, Kanthapuram has been involved in the talks since July 11 and was able to initiate discussions with influential leaders in Yemen.
Family worried
Though relieved over the postponement, Nimisha's family — her mother Premakumari, husband Tomy Thomas, and teenage daughter — remain anxious about the ongoing media coverage of the case. Speaking to TNM over the phone, Tomy said he was concerned for the safety of Nimisha, as well as Premakumari and Samuel, who are staying in Yemen.
“There are so many discussions happening in our media. We are worried where this would lead to. I don’t want to engage in talks with any media,” he said.
The family believes that media reports and social media commentary vilifying the victim and criticising Yemeni law may provoke the victim’s family. Speaking to a television channel, Premakumari pleaded with the media to stop reporting.
“His death pains me as if I had lost my own son. I am staying here to plead with the family to pardon Nimisha. I am ready to give my life,” she said.