If You're Listening The nurse on death row in Yemen
Aug 11, 2025
Ellie Grounds, ABC South Asia correspondent, dives into the gripping saga of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse wrongfully convicted of murder in Yemen's chaotic justice system. Grounds unpacks the dire situation as Priya faces the looming threat of execution while navigating isolation and abuse. The complexities of her legal nightmare reveal the cultural gaps in justice and the desperate negotiations for her potential pardon through blood money. With a blend of serious themes and some lighter moments, Grounds brings a nuanced perspective to this harrowing tale.
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Kerala Nurse Relocated To Yemen
- Namisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala, moved to Yemen about 15 years ago and built a life there.
- She married an Indian national and they opened a medical clinic together in Yemen.
Business Partner Joined Them In India
- They recruited a Yemeni man, Talal Abdo Mahdi, as a local business partner because foreigners needed a Yemeni partner to run a clinic.
- Mr Mahdi travelled with them to Kerala for their daughter's baptism and then returned to Yemen ahead of the family.
Alleged Forgery And Passport Confiscation
- Namisha alleges Mahdi produced a forged marriage document that the court accepted after she complained about his behaviour.
- She also alleges he took her passport, leaving her trapped in Yemen as violence erupted.