Flurry of plans ongoing to save Malayali nurse Nimisha Priya

KOCHI: Hasty moves are being pondered to save Malayali nurse Nimisha Priya from the death penalty in Yemen. Samuel and the Save Nimisha Priya Action Committee, working for Nimisha Priya, are intervening in four ways. The Union Ministry of External Affairs is also at the forefront in convincing the Yemeni government to halt the decision to execute the nurse.

Samuel said that the first attempt is to temporarily freeze the order issued the other day for at least a month. He will leave for Sanaa on Wednesday. He is also trying to meet the family of the murdered Yemeni citizen, Talal Abdu Mehdi. However, few members of Talal’s family are reluctant to forgive Nimisha for the crime.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs is continuing to communicate with Iran. Nimisha is lodged in a prison now controlled by the rebel Houthi group. India is banking on the good bonhomie between Iran and the Houthi groups to settle the issue for good.

The Save Nimisha Priya Action Council is ready to offer 1 million dollars (8.6 crores) as blood money. If Talal’s family forgives Nimisha before July 16th, the Malayali nurse will be able to walk out free from prison.

Nimisha’s mother, Premakumari, who is in Yemen under Samuel's care, also came to know about the information. Premakumari arrived in Sanaa in April last year. They also met their daughter in prison on April 24. Samuel is looking for the possibility of visiting Nimisha in prison.

Four possible ways to help Nimisha escape the death penalty:

1. Attempt to freeze the death sentence for one month

2. Meeting with the family of the murdered Yemeni citizen and asking for forgiveness

3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeks Iran's intervention to appease the Houthis

4. Seeking clemency by offering blood money