New Delhi: Kerala nurse was sentenced to death in Yemen for the murder of a Yemeni national in 2020 and four years down the line, Yemen’s President Rashad al-Alimi approved the sentence recently increasing trouble for her as the execution could most likely take place in a month. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement acknowledging the case and mentioned that they are exploring all relevant options."We are aware of the sentencing of Nimisha Priya in Yemen. The family is exploring relevant options, and the government is extending all possible help in the matter," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.Nimisha was sentenced to death by a trial court in 2020 and the judgment was upheld by Yemen's Supreme Judicial Council in November 2023. Since then, she had only one option - the payment of blood money after which if the victim's family takes back the case, she will not be executed.

What Is Nimisha Priya's Option To Avoid Execution?Nimisha's family is running against time to explore all possible options to save her, especially after the Yemen President upheld her death sentence. As per Sharia Law, the victim or victim's family may choose toe forgive the culprit for a monetary compensation called 'blood money'or 'diyaa'.If agreed on this, her sentence could be pardoned. As per an Indian Express report, $40,000 payment was made to get negotiations started in November 2023 and her family may have to pay close to $400,000 more to get the sentence pardoned.After her sentence in 2020, a ‘Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council’ was formed which is raising funds for her release. Speaking to PTI, Nimisha Priya's lawyer, Chandran KR, said, "Nimisha is convicted for murder of Yemeni national. He was her sponsor and during the time of Yemen war, she was tortured by her sponsor. She wanted to get her passport back and run away to save her life, so she tried to sedate him, unfortunately there was overdose, he died. Thereafter, she was arrested, faced trial." He said that Nimisha couldn't get a proper defence as Yemeni internal conflict was going on, and there was no lawyer to represent her case. "She had to sign papers which were in Arabic language which she could not understand. All this led to her death sentence. The President gave approval... Now we are looking to explore the possibility," he added. Talking about the options, he said, "If the family of the victim is ready to accept the blood money and pardon Nimisha Priya, so her life will be saved, we are still hopeful, but we need support from the . We need their immediate intervention."He said the family is ready to pay the amount. "We don't need a single penny from the government, we are just requesting them to facilitate the negotiation as we are unable to travel to Yemen," the Supreme Court lawyer added.Nimisha Priyais originally from Kollengode in Kerala’s Palakkad district and moved to Yemen in 2008. She opened a clinic there after working at hospitals for years. Her Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi tried forging documents to show her as his wife, abused her and tried to sexually assault her. After this, she sedated him, but due to the overdoes, Mahdi died.She was arrested while attempting to leave the country and was convicted of murder in 2018.