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Egyptian TV presenter among 12 sentenced to death for drug crime
Confirmed
In Short: The defendants were found guilty of forming an organized criminal gang that imported materials used in drug production and intended to traffic them, as well as possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition, according to the state-linked Al-Ahram newspaper.
The defendants were found guilty of forming an organized criminal gang that imported materials used in drug production and intended to traffic them, as well as possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition, according to the state-linked Al-Ahram newspaper.
Khalifa, who was present during the court proceedings, claimed she had never seen any drugs until she was photographed with them inside the anti-narcotics authority offices, according to the state-run Akhbar al-Youm newspaper.
Before issuing the death sentences, the court consulted Egypt's Grand Mufti for a religious opinion, a legal requirement in capital punishment cases, according to reports.
The case, which followed a major investigation into the alleged manufacture and distribution of synthetic drugs, also led to the discovery of two apartments allegedly used as laboratories for drug production, along with unlicensed firearms and ammunition, according to investigators.
Nine of the defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment, while seven were acquitted, according to the state-linked Al-Ahram newspaper.
Khalifa's lawyer stated that she would appeal the death sentence, according to reports from the BBC.
What's confirmed
- Sarah Khalifa is best known for her TV programme Mission Impossible which dealt with crime issues.
- The Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms reported that 541 death sentences were issued by Egyptian courts in 2025.
- The court also sentenced Khalifa and some of the other defendants to five years in prison in a separate case involving the alleged kidnapping and assault of a young man.
What's still developing
- According to a 2025 Amnesty International report, there were 492 death sentences in the course of the year, 23 of whom were executed, external.
- The defendants were found guilty of drug trafficking and rape, "crimes that did not amount to 'intentional killing' to which the use of the death penalty must be restricted under international law and standards", the report said.
- Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 other people have been sentenced to death by hanging after being convicted of drugs charges.
- September 5, 2026 Adejayan Gbenga World Stage 0 An Egyptian court has sentenced television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 other defendants to death over their alleged involvement in the manufacture and trafficking of narcotics, according to Egyptian state media.
- Khalifa, 39, is a well-known television personality who hosted the programme “Mission Impossible”, which focused on security and crime-related issues.
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- Sarah Khalifa, seen here in 2025, shouted "I'm innocent" when she was sentenced.
- ( Facebook ) A Cairo court has sentenced Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 others to death for the manufacturing and illegal trafficking of drugs.