Egyptian TV Presenter Sarah Khalifa Sentenced to Death in Drug Case

Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa has been sentenced to death by hanging along with 11 other defendants after being convicted in a major drug trafficking case.

The Cairo Criminal Court found the 12 defendants guilty of belonging to an organised criminal network accused of obtaining raw materials used to manufacture narcotics for distribution, according to Egypt's state-linked Al-Ahram newspaper.

The case involved 28 defendants and the seizure of more than 750kg of narcotics. Nine additional defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment, while seven others were acquitted.

Khalifa, 39, became known in Egypt for presenting the security and crime programme Mission Impossible on private television network Al-Mehwar. She also operated businesses including a cosmetic surgery clinic and an event planning company and had built a substantial social media following of more than two million Instagram users.

Throughout the investigation and trial, Khalifa denied the allegations and maintained that she was innocent. Egyptian media reported that she became emotional during Saturday's hearing and appealed to the court for mercy.

She reportedly told investigators that she had never smoked a cigarette and rejected claims that she was involved in the drug trade.

Prosecutors alleged that the criminal organisation obtained chemical materials from overseas and used residential properties to store the substances and manufacture synthetic drugs. Authorities said different members of the group were assigned roles involving the procurement of materials, production and distribution.

Investigators also reported finding unlicensed firearms and ammunition during the operation.

The death sentences were issued after the court referred the case to Egypt's Grand Mufti, whose religious opinion is required in capital cases. Although the Mufti's opinion is not legally binding, the consultation is a required step before a death sentence can be formally issued.

The defendants retain the right to challenge the verdict before Egypt's Court of Cassation. Under recent judicial reforms, those convicted also have two avenues of appeal, including a request for a retrial before an appeals court.

Khalifa was arrested in April 2025 as authorities investigated the alleged drug network.

The presenter also received a separate sentence on Saturday, with the same court imposing three years in prison in a case involving allegations that she assaulted and filmed her driver.

Egypt retains the death penalty for offences including drug trafficking, terrorism and premeditated murder.