Another ray of hope: Iran agrees to intervene for Malayali nurse Nimisha Priya's release from Yemen prison

NEW DELHI: Finally, a glitter of hope emerges in the strange case of Nimisha Priya, the Malayali nurse awaiting death penalty in Yemen. India’s efficient diplomatic parlay made Iran announce its willingness to intervene in the issue. This was informed by a senior official of Iran, while on a visit to Delhi. The official promised all help from Iran on humanitarian grounds to help Nimisha Priya evade the death sentence.

The spokesperson of Indian Foreign Affairs informed on Wednesday that the central government will do all the essential to help Nimisha and her family. This past Monday, the President of Yemen, Rashad Al Alimi, sanctioned the death sentence of Nimisha Priya. in the case of the killing of Yemeni citizen Talal Abdu Mehdi.

Nimisha's family are ready to pay blood money for her release, but two of Talal Abdu Mehdi's close relatives are hindering the process. They are not ready to give pardon by accepting blood money and are demanding that the punishment be carried out. The incident that led to Nimisha Priya's arrest took place in 2017. The trial court's death sentence was upheld by the Yemeni Supreme Court. Then the mercy petition came before the President of Yemen.

It was concluded that the relatives would have to pay at least Rs 1.5 crore for the release. Last June, when the negotiations started, the ‘Save Nimish Priya Action Council’ had deposited Rs 16.71 lakh in the account of the Union Ministry of External Affairs.