'Our Daughter Misses Her Mother,’ Husband’s Plea as Blood Money Becomes Nimisha Priya’s Last Hope in Yemen

Amid relentless diplomatic efforts, Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse sentenced to death in Yemen, awaits a lifeline. Her husband, Tomy Thomas, and their young daughter are pinning their hopes on negotiating blood money with the victim’s family. As the clock ticks, the urgency to save Nimisha intensifies, with execution looming after Yemen’s president approved her death sentence.

Nimisha Priya’s Family Battles for Justice

Tomy Thomas, Nimisha Priya’s husband, holds on to hope despite the dire circumstances. “Our daughter misses her mother deeply,” he said, highlighting the emotional impact on their family. Thomas believes that paying blood money to the family of Talal Abdo Mahdi could spare Nimisha’s life.

Nimisha’s mother, Prema Kumari, has been tirelessly campaigning to save her daughter. At 57, she traveled to Yemen and appeared on Malayalam television, tearfully pleading for urgent help. Her efforts have received support from the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, which continues to advocate for her release.

How Nimisha Priya’s Journey Took a Tragic Turn

Nimisha Priya moved to Yemen in 2008, aiming to provide financial support for her struggling family in Kerala. Over time, she established a successful clinic, but her partnership with Yemeni businessman Mahdi led to unforeseen conflict.

In 2017, during a dispute, Nimisha reportedly injected Mahdi with sedatives to recover her confiscated passport. Unfortunately, an overdose caused his death. Nimisha was arrested while attempting to leave Yemen and convicted of murder.

The trial court sentenced Nimisha to death in 2020, a verdict upheld by Yemen’s Supreme Judicial Council in 2023. However, the possibility of avoiding execution through the payment of blood money offers a glimmer of hope.

Time Running Out for Nimisha Priya’s Rescue

The urgency of Nimisha Priya’s case escalated after Yemen’s president approved her execution. With a possible execution date only weeks away, her family and supporters are racing against time to negotiate with Mahdi’s family.

The Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, a group of NRI social workers, has been at the forefront of efforts to raise the required blood money. They are striving to secure a pardon and bring Nimisha home.