In a major diplomatic and humanitarian breakthrough, the death sentence of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya—convicted of murder in Yemen—has been officially overturned, according to a statement from the office of Indian Grand Mufti Kanthapuram A.P. Abubakker Musliyar.
The announcement follows intense diplomatic and religious efforts, which culminated in a high-level meeting in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, where authorities decided to revoke the execution order that had been temporarily suspended earlier this month.
“The death sentence of Nimisha Priya, which was previously suspended, has been overturned. A high-level meeting held in Sanaa decided to completely cancel the death sentence,” said a statement from the Grand Mufti’s office.
Priya, who had been convicted of murdering a Yemeni citizen in 2017, was originally scheduled to be executed on July 16. However, a last-minute appeal led by Grand Mufti Abubakker Musliyar resulted in the Yemeni authorities halting the execution just a day before it was due to take place.
The case has drawn international attention due to the complex circumstances surrounding the murder charge and the humanitarian concerns raised by human rights organizations and religious leaders.
Priya’s family, including her husband Thomas and 13-year-old daughter Mishel, traveled to Yemen in a final plea for mercy. They were accompanied by Indian Christian evangelist Dr. K.A. Paul, who has also played a visible role in negotiations with Yemen's Houthi authorities.
In an emotional video released online, Mishel can be seen addressing her mother, saying “I love you, mamma” in Malayalam and English, although much of her speech is inaudible.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed last week that it was extending full consular and legal assistance to Nimisha Priya and was in communication with “friendly governments” in the region, suggesting coordinated diplomatic efforts were underway behind the scenes.
Nimisha Priya, a trained nurse from Kerala, had moved to Yemen for work when the incident occurred. Her legal team and supporters have consistently claimed that she acted in self-defense and that the original trial lacked transparency.
With the death penalty now overturned, further proceedings may determine whether she will be granted clemency, repatriated to India, or required to serve a prison term in Yemen.
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(This story is published from a syndicated feed)