Talal Abdo Mahdi's Family Rejects Blood Money Offer in Nimisha Priya Case

Family's Firm Stance

In a significant turn of events, the relatives of Talal Abdo Mahdi, who was allegedly murdered by Nimisha Priya, have turned down the offer of 'Diya' or blood money from her family. They have also dismissed any possibility of a compromise in this matter. Speaking to a media outlet, Talal's brother, Abdel Fateh Mahdi, firmly called for the application of Qisas, which translates to 'retaliation in kind'. He categorically rejected any proposals for blood money.

Statements from Talal's Brother

Abdel Fateh has denied Nimisha Priya's allegations of abuse, exploitation, or passport confiscation, stating that these claims were never presented in the Yemeni court. He emphasized that the murder, dismemberment, and concealment of Talal's body are acts that cannot be forgiven, regardless of any previous disagreements. For him and his family, forgiving Nimisha is simply unacceptable. "We demand the implementation of God's law in this case. We will not settle for anything less," he asserted.

Legal Context and Allegations

Under Sharia law in Yemen, families have the option to forgive the accused in exchange for blood money, which can lead to a pardon and a reduced sentence. Abdel dismissed the allegations that Talal had tortured Nimisha as mere 'rumors', stating that they had a 'natural relationship' and had partnered in running a clinic together.

Claims of Victimhood

Abdel further noted that after their marriage, which lasted for 3-4 days, there are ongoing efforts to 'deny the truth' and attempts to portray the accused as the victim. His comments came shortly after Yemeni authorities postponed Nimisha Priya's execution, which was initially scheduled for July 16. Negotiations involving the Indian government and a prominent religious leader were also reported.

Background on Nimisha Priya

Nimisha Priya relocated to Yemen in 2008 to support her family and opened a clinic in 2015 with Talal Abdo Mehdi as her sponsor. However, their professional relationship soured, with Priya accusing Mehdi of misusing clinic funds and harassing her. In 2017, during an attempt to retrieve her documents, she sedated Mehdi, resulting in his death. She claimed self-defense in court, stating that she acted after he threatened her life. Following his death, she and a colleague dismembered his body and disposed of it. After fleeing to another hospital, she was arrested and has been imprisoned in Sana’a since 2017, receiving a death sentence in 2020. The Save Nimisha Priya Action Council has been advocating for her release, exploring legal avenues and negotiating blood money to seek a pardon from Mehdi’s family.