New Delhi: Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala, has been sentenced to death in Yemen for the alleged murder of local citizen Talal Abdo Mehdi. The execution, which was initially scheduled for July 16, was deferred at the last moment by Yemeni authorities. Efforts are currently underway from various quarters, including the Indian government and evangelist Dr. K.A. Paul, to secure her release.
In a significant development, Nimisha’s daughter Michelle, son-in-law Thomas, Dr. K.A. Paul, and other supporters recently met Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi in Sana’a. During the meeting, they submitted a formal clemency petition and appealed for a pardon, urging the leader to consider her release on humanitarian grounds.
Yemen Prisoner Nimisha Priya’s only daughter Mishel , husband Thomas join Dr. K.A Paul , Chairman Mahdi, Jyoti Begal and Mamatha addressing the leader if Sanaaa Excellency Abdul Malik Al Houthi.@AlJazeera @Reuters @BBCWorld @ANI @PTI_News @TV9Telugu @NtvTeluguLive @ABC @CNN pic.twitter.com/5yGNNJFKgl
— Dr KA Paul (@KAPaulOfficial) July 27, 2025
Nimisha moved to Yemen in 2008 after completing her nursing education in Kerala. She married Thomas in 2011 and later partnered with Talal Mehdi to open a medical clinic, as per local regulations requiring a Yemeni national for such ventures. After returning to India for a family event, she left her husband and daughter in Kerala and resumed work in Yemen. Her family later alleged that Mehdi began exploiting and harassing her, even seizing her passport.
In 2017, in an attempt to retrieve her passport, Nimisha allegedly administered a sedative to Mehdi, which led to his death due to overdose. She was accused of disposing of the body in a water tank and was arrested while attempting to flee to Saudi Arabia. A Yemeni court subsequently sentenced her to death.
Under Yemeni law, the victim’s family can grant clemency in exchange for compensation. Nimisha’s family has reportedly agreed to pay USD 1 million (approximately ₹8.6 crore), but no response has yet been received from Mehdi’s relatives.