Indian family fights for mother before execution in the war, Yemen

Indian family fights for mother before execution in the war, Yemen

relatives of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse who was sentenced to death in the war -plagued Yemen, do everything possible to prevent your execution. This is scheduled for Wednesday and the case dealt with the Indian media in a large way.

background of the case

Nimisha Priya was sentenced to death in the Yemeni capital Sanaa in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa for the murder of her former business partner, a Yemeni citizen. The man's body was found in a water tank in 2017.

Since then, her family has been fighting for their release, which is difficult due to the lack of formal relationships between New Delhi and the Houthi rebels that the city has been controlling since the outbreak of the civil war 2014.

media reporting and human rights organizations

The upcoming execution has led to extensive reporting in the Indian media, while human rights groups asked the Houthis not to carry out the execution. On Monday, Amnesty International appealed to the Houthirebellen to “immediately introduce a moratorium for all executions and (Priyas) as well as to convert all existing death sentences as a first step.”

In an explanation, they emphasized: "The death penalty is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and humiliating punishment."

The role of the family

Priya's mother, Prema Kumari, a domestic worker from Kerala, who sold her home to finance her daughter's legal costs, has been in Yemen for over a year to support the negotiations. "I last saw her on June 18th. She looked tense," said Kumari in tears.

According to Samuel Joseph, a social worker who helps the family, Priya could find grace according to the Islamic laws of Yemen if the victim's family forgives her and accepts the "Diyah" (blood money) offered by Priya's family.

legal situation and support

Joseph expressed optimism and pointed out that the Indian government is directly involved: "I try to support the efforts here, and with God's grace we have people who help." Priya is said to have injected her business partner with a fatal overdose, while her family denies that this was an intentional murder.

The process took place in Arabic, and Priya was not provisioned by the supporters, which is considered great injustice by the supporters.

Financial support and difficulties of negotiations

Some activists and lawyers founded the Save Nimisha Priya Action Council in 2020 to collect money for Priya's release and negotiate with the victim's family. According to Rafeek Ravuthar, an activist from the council, around five million rupees (almost $ 58,000) have been collected so far.

In the past few days, politicians from Kerale's home state have asked the Indian government for intervention to secure Priya's release. "In view of the fact that this is a case that deserves compassion, I appeal to the honorable prime minister to take over the matter," wrote the Prime Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, in a letter to Modi.

India's diplomatic influence

In February, Kirti Vardhan Singh, India's Foreign Minister, explained in the upper house of Parliament that the government "grants the welfare of the Indians abroad abroad and offers all possible support, including in this case." It becomes clear that the Indian government uses all available opportunities to support Priya.

Priya came to Yemen in 2008 and initially worked in a local hospital. Their intention was to open your own clinic to create a better life for yourself and your family. Due to the political unrest and war, she decided to stay in an increasingly dangerous environment for foreigners, while many of her compatriots evacuated.

Current situation in Yemen

According to Amnesty International, Yemen is one of the five countries with the most executions in 2024. Amnesty has confirmed that the Houthis carried out at least one execution in the areas they have controlled.

Priya's mother was grateful for the support and is pleased that she could spend time with her daughter this year. In the meantime, Priya's husband and daughter in Kerala are waiting for her return. "My wife is very good and loving," emphasized her husband Tomy Thomas. "That is the only reason why I support you."