India reaffirmed its commitment to providing all possible assistance in the case of Nimisha Priya, the Indian nurse sentenced to death in Yemen for the 2017 murder of a Yemeni citizen.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it remains actively engaged in the matter and is also in touch with “friendly governments” to explore solutions. Priya, a 38-year-old native of Kollengode in Kerala’s Palakkad district, was scheduled to be executed on July 16. However, her execution was postponed following interventions by Indian officials. She is currently lodged in a jail in Sana’a, which is under the control of Iran-backed Houthis.
MEA Calls Case ‘Sensitive and Complex’
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the case at his weekly briefing:
“We continue to closely follow the matter and render all possible assistance. We are also in touch with some friendly governments on the issue.”He cautioned against unverified media reports, saying:
“This is a sensitive and complex case. Media reports based on misinformation and speculation are unhelpful and we urge all to be mindful of this.”
Reports claiming that Priya’s death sentence was revoked or that an agreement had been reached for her release were dismissed by the MEA as “incorrect.”
Background of the Case
Nimisha Priya was convicted by a Yemeni court in 2020 for murdering a local citizen. Her appeal was later dismissed by Yemen’s Supreme Judicial Council in November 2023.
Due to the absence of an Indian diplomatic presence in Yemen, officials from the Indian mission in Saudi Arabia have been handling the case.
Jaiswal noted: “As a result of our concerted efforts, the local authorities in Yemen have postponed carrying out her sentence.”
