Release of Nimisha Priya; Talks to continue today, more claiming to have intervened

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Talks over the release of Nimisha Priya, jailed in Yemen and has been sentenced to death, will continue on Wednesday. The next step is to take a final decision on the victim’s family accepting blood money. More people have come forward claiming to have intervened in the matter. A Malayali businessman in Saudi Arabia has come forward claiming to have spoken to the brother of Talal, who was murdered.

Her execution was scheduled for today. Her sentence was deferred following the intervention of Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar, Ministry of External Affairs, Governor Rajendar Arlekar and Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council. The action council yesterday informed about the postponement of her execution. The Ministry of External Affairs and Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar confirmed this.

Talks are now underway to avoid the execution by giving blood money to the family of the murdered Yemeni citizen Talal Abdo Mahdi. Kanthapuram had requested Yemeni Sufi scholar Sheikh Habib Umar bin Hafeel to intervene in the matter. As per his request, Talal's relative, Hodeidah State Court and a member of the Yemeni Shura Council. He travelled to Dhamar for the discussions on Sufi leader Sheikh Habib Umar’s advice.

In a subsequent meeting, the family agreed to Kanthapuram's request to postpone the execution. The Yemeni Attorney General, who sentenced him, also held discussions with Talal's family. Foreign Ministry officials have been in constant communication with prison authorities in Sanaa and the prosecutor's office.