Nimisha Priya case handled by Houthis, not ratified by president: Yemen embassy

Nimisha Priya is currently in jail in Yemen's capital Sana'a, which is under Houthi control. She was issued a death sentence for killing a Yemeni national

Updated on: Jan 6, 2025, 22:02:01 IST

By HT News Desk | Edited by Ria Amol Wadikar

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The death sentence imposed on Indian nurse Nimisha Priya by a court in Yemen has been controlled by the Houthi militia and has not been ratified by president Rashad al-Alimi, the country's embassy said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala, was sentenced to death by the trial court in Sana’a, Yemen (HT_PRINT)

Yemen's embassy on Monday issued a statement clarifying that the case did not have the approval of Rashad al-Alimi, the chairman of the presidential leadership council, and had been entirely handled by the Iran-backed Houthis.

Also Read: India extending ‘all possible help’ to Nimisha Priya on death row in Yemen

Nimisha Priya, 37, is currently in jail in Yemen's capital city Sana'a, which is under Houthi control. The nurse, who hails from Kollengode in the Palakkad district in Kerala, was found guilty of murdering a Yemeni citizen in July 2017 by a trial court in 2020.

Also Read: Who is Nimisha Priya, Indian nurse on death row in Yemen?

Yemen's supreme judicial council upheld the court's decision and sentenced her to death in 2024.

Efforts to rescue Nimisha Priya ongoing

Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday said that the government is extending “all possible” help and is closely following developments in the case.

On Thursday, a senior Iranian official also offered to help in whichever way possible to aid Priya, reported PTI.

Earlier, efforts were made by Priya's mother Prema Kumari and others to raise funds to pay “blood money” and secure the nurse's release. Under the blood money system, the victim's family can forgive the perpetrator for an amount and the decision will override the death sentence given by the court.

However, unable to pay the money required, Priya's mother in a video message, urged the Indian government to help her daughter.

"This is my final plea. She has only a few days left. Every member of the action council has worked tirelessly to raise funds. I beg the Centre and the council to do everything possible to save her life," she said.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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