Abdul Fattah Mahdi, the brother of Yemeni businessman Talal Abdo Mahdi who was killed by Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, has once again demanded the Yemeni government to carry out her death sentence without further delay.
According to Arab newspaper Gulf News, in a letter written on July 30, Abdul Fattah appealed to Yemen’s Attorney General Justice Abdul Salam Al-Houthi to ensure Nimisha Priya’s execution is carried out as soon as possible.
The letter stated that media reports mentioned Nimisha was supposed to be hanged on July 16, but the execution was postponed. Now, the sentence should be carried out without delay.
He clearly wrote that their family has completely rejected all reconciliation efforts from India and also refused to accept blood money (Diyyah). They want justice under the law of retaliation and expect it to be followed.
Abdul Fattah also criticized the Indian media, accusing them of spreading misleading news. He said giving the impression that any deal or settlement is happening is wrong. His brother’s blood is not something to be bargained or sold.
Before writing this letter, on July 25, he had already asked the Yemeni authorities to set a new execution date for Nimisha Priya. He also made it clear that they have had no agreement or negotiation with any Indian religious leaders or government officials.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed last week that Nimisha Priya’s execution has not been canceled, only delayed.
On the other hand, Nimisha Priya’s 13-year-old daughter Michelle shared a video message from Yemen, asking the world to help bring her mother back. She said she misses her mother very much. Michelle recently traveled to Yemen with her father and some social activists.
Earlier, reports said that it was due to the efforts of India’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr that the execution was delayed.
After the Grand Mufti’s intervention, the execution of the Indian nurse was temporarily stopped. Nimisha Priya was scheduled to be hanged on July 16 this year.
A Yemeni court found Nimisha Priya guilty of killing her business partner Talal Abdo Mahdi in 2018. Legal proceedings had been ongoing since 2017.
In 2020, a Yemeni court sentenced her to death. In December 2024, the Yemeni President approved the execution, and in early 2025, Houthi leaders also confirmed the approval. Her hanging was scheduled for July 16.
Nimisha had moved to Yemen in 2008 for work. She opened a lab and hospital with a local partner. Later, differences grew between them, and in 2017, she murdered her partner and cut his body into pieces.
Nimisha Priya is from the Indian state of Kerala and follows Christianity. She was also married in India.