Nimisha Priya's family offers $1 million 'blood money'; pardon by Yemeni man's family is final hope, says activist

Kerala Nurse Nimisha Priya

With only three days remaining before the scheduled execution of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse from Kerala convicted of killing a Yemeni national in 2017, her family has offered $1 million (approximately ₹8.6 crore) as 'blood money' to the victim’s relatives in a last-ditch effort to save her life.

According to an activist from the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, the only remaining hope is a pardon from the victim’s family. Negotiations are currently underway in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, where family representative Samuel Jerome is leading the efforts on behalf of Nimisha Priya’s relatives.

“The status is that the power of attorney holder for Nimisha’s family, Samuel Jerome, who is already in Yemen’s Sana’a, is leading the negotiation from our side. It took many months to negotiate and we have proposed $1 million to save Nimisha Priya," Babu John said as per NDTV.

He added, “The Yemeni man’s family has not said yes or no. Once the family says yes, we will mobilise the funds and give them to the family if they are ready to pardon Nimisha."

"That is the important thing. Apart from the money, within the Sharia law, which is prevailing in Yemen, we are requesting the family to pardon Nimisha for whatever she did or whatever she is accused of. If the family is ready to pardon with or without money... anyway we are ready to pay $1 million. That is the offer," he added.

Yemen's legal system, based on Sharia law, allows the death penalty to be waived if the victim’s family accepts compensation, known as diyah or blood money and chooses to forgive the offender. Such pardons can legally be granted up until the final moments before the execution.