President Approves Death Sentence for Indian Nurse in Yemen: Nimisha Accused of Partner’s Murder, India Assures Assistance

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India has confirmed the death sentence for Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, currently imprisoned in Yemen. The President of Yemen has approved the execution order.

However, the MEA has assured that the Indian government is providing all possible assistance in the matter. This information was shared by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Nimisha Priya, a resident of Kerala, has been accused of murdering Yemeni citizen Talal Abdo Mahdi. In 2017, Nimisha allegedly killed Mahdi by administering a drug overdose.

Reports suggest that Nimisha and Mahdi were partners in a private clinic in Yemen. Allegations state that Mahdi had confiscated Nimisha’s passport and subjected her to torture. Nimisha’s execution is expected within a month.

Nimisha Trapped in Yemen Due to Civil War

After completing her nursing studies in 2008, Nimisha Priya began working in Kerala. In 2011, she married Tommy Thomas, a Kerala native. The couple moved to Yemen in 2012, where Nimisha worked as a nurse.

By 2014, financial difficulties forced her husband and young daughter to return to India, while Nimisha continued working in Yemen. During this time, a civil war broke out in the country, halting the issuance of new visas. As a result, Nimisha’s husband could not return to Yemen.

In 2015, Nimisha partnered with Yemeni citizen Mahdi to start a clinic in Sana’a, the capital of Yemen. Under Yemeni law, only Yemeni nationals can establish businesses, which led Nimisha to seek Mahdi’s assistance for the partnership.

Mahdi Deceives Nimisha and Seizes Her Passport

In 2015, Nimisha Priya took a month-long leave to visit Kerala. Mahdi accompanied her on this trip. During his stay, Mahdi reportedly stole a wedding photo from Nimisha’s home. Later, he morphed the photo and falsely claimed to be her husband.

According to Nimisha’s mother, Mahdi tampered with the clinic ownership documents, asserting that Nimisha was his wife. Using this claim, he began taking a share of her earnings. Additionally, he confiscated Nimisha’s passport, leaving her unable to leave Yemen.

Allegations of Harassment and Death of Mahdi

Nimisha’s mother filed a petition in court, accusing Mahdi of confiscating Nimisha’s passport and subjecting her to harassment under the influence of drugs. She also alleged that Mahdi had frequently threatened Nimisha.

In July 2017, Nimisha administered an injection to sedate Mahdi, but it had no effect. Desperate, she gave him a drug overdose, which ultimately led to his death.