'Got notification to carry out death sentence'; Malayali nurse Nimisha Priya's concerning audio message out

TEHRAN: Nimisha Priya, the Malayali nurse serving on death row in Yemen, sent an audio message from jail expressing concern over jail authorities planning to expedite the sentence. Nimisha received a call from a lawyer at the prison informing the authorities' decision to immediately carry out the death sentence.

The audio message was received by Action Council Convener Jayan Edappal. However, there has been no official response from the Union Ministry of External Affairs or the Indian Embassy authorities regarding this. Earlier, it was reported that Iran had held talks with a representative of the Houthi rebel group to mediate in the release of Nimisha Priya. However, it is believed that these talks did not bear fruit. The crime of which Nimisha Priya was accused took place in Houthi-controlled northern Yemen. Iranian officials had been trying to negotiate with the family of Talal Abdo Mahdi, who was killed by Nimisha while trying to escape from his torture.

Nimisha Priya's mother, Premakumari, had gone to Yemen to meet Talal's family and apologize. She held talks with Talal's family and the tribal leaders. However, the talks turned out to be futile as Talal’s family reiterated their old stance. Nimisha Priya is the wife of Thodupuzha native Tommy Thomas.