New Delhi: Iran has offered its readiness to intervene in the case of Nimisha Priya; an Indian nurse given death penalty in Yemen. Dr. Speaking on his visit to India, Takht Ravanchi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran said, “For humanitarian reasons, we are ready to try.” There are also indications that the gesture is a positive shot at seeking closure of the case.
Sexual assault and murder accused Nimisha Priya, an Indian citizen, is serving her death sentence in Yemen’s Central Prison in Sanaa after having been convicted of killing Yemeni citizen Talal Abdu Mahadi. In 2017, she was convicted of the murder of Mahadi, beheading him, and burying his head in a water tank. The situation in Yemen is rather sad, local courts including the head of the Yemeni judiciary President Rashad Al Alimi recently re-affirmed her death penalty thereby shutting all legal options from within Yemen.
Case Background
The case of Nimisha Priya has attracted considerable interest nationally as well as globally. They also claim that she had to use force against Mahadi, who they say had been sexually abusing her. However, the court in Yemen denied her these rights as a woman , based on the above stated arguments.
Government and International efforts
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) later on clarified that the Indian government is indeed helping Nimisha Priya’s family. Some of the measures are diplomatic writings and appealing to international bodies. Another dimension was added to these efforts by Iran’s willingness to mediate. Since Iran has an influence on the region their involvement could help to have the death sentence commuted or to have clemency granted for Priya.
This case shows that Indian expatriates are likely to encounter various problems within foreign countries particularly areas that have strict legal jurisdictions. Thus, with Iran’s humanitarian action and going governmental actions, Nimisha Priya’s family wants to see a chance to save her from death.
