Top Sunni Cleric Joins Last-Ditch Effort to Save Indian Nurse on Yemen Death Row.
As the execution date nears for Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, prominent Sunni cleric Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad—also known as Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar—has joined the final push to save her life through reconciliation efforts with the victim’s family in Yemen.
Scheduled Execution on July 16
Priya, a native of Kerala, is currently on death row in the Central Prison in Sanaa, Yemen, for the 2017 murder of her Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdo Mehdi. The execution is scheduled for July 16, and legal experts say that under Yemen’s Sharia law, the only remaining legal avenue is to convince the victim’s family to accept diya, or blood money.
Cleric’s Role in Mediation
Priya’s lawyer, Subhash Chandran, confirmed that Musliyar—who holds the title of Grand Mufti of India—is directly involved in outreach efforts. Through his influence, attempts are being made to connect with the victim’s family and local religious leaders to seek a pardon.
“We are trying our best so that the family accepts the blood money and the Kerala nurse is spared from death row,” Chandran said.
The cleric has reportedly initiated discussions with key religious figures in Yemen, who in turn are liaising with Mehdi’s family. These conversations are aimed at initiating a process of reconciliation and halting the execution.
Government Response and SC Hearing
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of India on July 14 heard a petition filed by the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, a global group working to prevent her execution. During the hearing, Attorney General R Venkataramani stated that the Indian government is making “every possible effort” but noted the limitations posed by Yemen’s political situation and legal framework.
Background of the Case
Nimisha Priya moved to Yemen in 2008 to financially support her family. She worked at various hospitals before opening a clinic in accordance with Yemeni laws, which require foreign nationals to partner with a local citizen for business operations. Priya entered into such a partnership with Mehdi, who allegedly began harassing her and confiscated her passport.
In 2017, she reportedly administered sedatives to Mehdi in an attempt to retrieve her passport while he was unconscious. However, he died, and Priya was arrested at the airport while trying to leave the country.
While imprisoned, she has been working as a healthcare provider for fellow inmates.
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