Urgent Call to Save Indian Nurse on Death Row in Yemen

In response to the death sentence given to Indian nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen, Indian political and public figures are pressing the government to save her. There are urgent calls for diplomatic intervention and immediate action to halt the execution and negotiate with Yemeni authorities.

In an urgent plea following the death sentence of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen, Kerala's Leader of Opposition and Congress leader VD Satheesan has called on both state and central governments to take swift action. Satheesan emphasized the need for diplomatic intervention to delay the execution and prioritize negotiations.

Speaking to ANI, Satheesan stressed the importance of state and central government initiative. "Immediate action is needed to save her," he stated, highlighting efforts to pressure authorities. Babu John of Save Nimisha Priya forum joined the call, urging India to negotiate with Yemen to stop the execution.

Matters took a somber turn with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirming awareness of Priya's case. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "We are providing all possible assistance," as the Indian government explores options to assist Priya, a trained nurse who worked in Yemen's private hospitals.

Priya's ordeal traces back to her business partnership with a Yemeni national, Mahdi. Legal complications began when Mahdi manipulated business ownership documents and claimed to be Priya's husband. Allegations of harassment, imprisonment, and torture preceded the tragic incident where an attempted sedative misfired, accidentally leading to Mahdi's death.

The unfortunate incident serves as a grim backdrop to Priya's current plight. Her family's 2014 return to India due to financial hardship, compounded by Yemen's war-imposed visa issues, left her alone to face an escalating series of threats and legal challenges. Despite numerous pleas and a hallmarked sedative incident leading to Mahdi's death, the focus now is on averting the execution.

(With inputs from agencies.)