The scheduled execution of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen, originally set for Wednesday, July 16, has been postponed following crucial interventions by the Indian government and the Grand Mufti of India, Sheikh Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar.
The Kerala-based nurse, convicted in the 2017 murder of Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi, had been sentenced to death in 2020. Her plea for bail was rejected in 2023 by the Houthis’ Supreme Judicial Council, which upheld the death sentence. She was due to be executed on July 16, 2025.
Sheikh Kanthapuram played a pivotal role in securing the postponement of her execution. He urged Yemeni authorities to open discussions with the victim’s family, citing an Islamic legal provision that allows for pardon by the victim’s relatives.
In his official statement, the Grand Mufti explained his decision to step in, especially given India’s limited diplomatic access to Yemen.
“I decided to intervene in this matter with the firm conviction that it is a national responsibility to seek a humane resolution when an Indian citizen awaits execution in a foreign country,” he said in the statement.
He further highlighted how similar efforts had yielded positive results in other Gulf nations:
“India has, in the past, seen positive outcomes from similar interventions in Gulf countries and beyond. Given that Yemen is a region with which India presently has limited diplomatic engagement, I felt that such an effort is indeed required of us,” the Mufti added.
According to the Grand Mufti, he was approached by Chandy Oommen, the MLA of Puthuppally, who brought the case to his attention. Following this, he contacted renowned global Sufi scholar Habib Umar bin Hafeez to help mediate.
“Upon receiving the information, he immediately expressed readiness to look into the matter officially and assured that a response would follow without delay. His office contacted the North Yemeni authorities and the victim’s family, initiating reconciliation efforts,” Ahmad wrote in his statement.
With the execution now temporarily halted, diplomatic and religious leaders are hopeful that negotiations with the victim’s family could lead to a more compassionate resolution under Islamic law.