Yemeni Victim Talal’s Family Rejects ‘Blood Money’ From Nimisha Priya; Demands ‘God’s Law’ Be Enforced On Kerala Nurse News24 –

Nimisha Priya Case: In a dramatic development, the family of Talal Abdo Mahdi, allegedly murdered by Nimisha Priya, has rejected the offer of ‘Diya’ or blood money from the Kerala nurse’s family. They also resisted any kind of compromise in the case. Speaking to BBC Arabic, Talal’s brother, Abdel Fateh Mahdi, has unequivocally called for the enforcement of Qisas, “retaliation in kind”. He explicitly rejected appeals for blood money (Diyah).

What Talal’s Family Said

According to Talal’s brother, Abdel Fateh denied claims made by Nimisha Priya regarding abuse, exploitation, or passport confiscation. He also said that these claims were never presented in the Yemeni court by her. He clarified that the murder, dismemberment, and concealment of Talal’s body are unforgivable, irrespective of any prior disputes. For him, forgiving Nimisha is not at all digestible for his family. “We want ‘God’s law’ to be implemented in this case. We will not accept anything less than that.”

However, Sharia law in Yemen also allows families to forgive the accused in exchange for diyah- blood money. This comes as a settlement negotiated between the accused and the victim’s family. Acceptance of Diyah can lead to a pardon and commute the sentence. As for the allegations that Talal tortured her, Abdel described them as “rumours”. He said that Tala and Nimisha had a ‘natural relationship’ and formed a business partnership to run a clinic together.

“Portraying Accused As Victim”

Abdel also said that after knowing each other, both got married and remained in the marital relationship for 3-4 days. He added that there are still efforts to “deny the truth” and attempts are being made to “justify crime” by portraying the accused as the victim.

Talal’s Brother’s claim came a day after the Yemeni authorities had postponed Nimisha Priya’s execution. She was to be executed on July 16. Apart from the Indian government, the negotiations with the Yemeni authority were also conducted by a religious leader, Grand Mufti, Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar.

Nimisha has been in Yemen’s prison for over 10 years and received a death sentence for murder. Under Yemen’s Islamic law, the victim’s family can demand her execution, but they also have the option to accept blood money as a substitute for the death penalty.

Nimisha’s Story

Nimisha Priya moved to Yemen in 2008 to support her family and opened a clinic in 2015 with Yemeni citizen Talal Abdo Mehdi as her sponsor. Their professional relationship deteriorated, with Priya accusing Mehdi of misappropriating clinic funds, confiscating her passport, and subjecting her to ongoing harassment and abuse. However, documents also said that Nimisha was married to Talal.

In 2017, attempting to retrieve her documents, including her passport and escape, she sedated Mehdi. It led to his death. Nimisha told the court she killed Talal by administering anaesthesia after he threatened her life, and with her colleague Hanan, dismembered and disposed of his body in a reservoir. After fleeing to another hospital 200 km away, she was arrested following a tip from hospital authorities and has been imprisoned in Sana’a since 2017. She was sentenced to death in 2020. The Save Nimisha Priya Action Council has since campaigned for her release, pursuing legal appeals and negotiating diyat (blood money) to seek a pardon from Mehdi’s family, as permitted under Yemeni law.