Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa has been sentenced to death by hanging alongside 11 other defendants following their conviction in a major drug manufacturing and trafficking case in Cairo.
The 39-year-old media personality, best known for hosting the crime-focused programme Mission Impossible, was convicted of belonging to an organised criminal group accused of importing materials used to manufacture synthetic narcotics for trafficking. The case also involved allegations of possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Egyptian authorities said more than 750 kilograms of narcotics and raw materials were seized during the investigation. Prosecutors also alleged that two residential apartments were being used as clandestine laboratories for producing the drugs. Evidence presented to the court reportedly included witness testimony, photographs, videos and other digital material.
Khalifa has denied the allegations and maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings. Reports said she told the court that she had never seen drugs until she was photographed with them at the anti-narcotics authority’s offices. Her lawyer, Mohamed El-Gendy, has indicated that she will appeal the conviction, meaning the death sentence is not yet final.
The court also sentenced nine other defendants in the wider case to life imprisonment, while seven were acquitted. In a separate case involving the kidnapping and assault of a young man, Khalifa and others received additional five-year prison sentences.
The case has attracted significant attention because of Khalifa’s public profile. In addition to television, she owns a cosmetic surgery clinic and an events production business and has millions of followers on Instagram.
The verdict followed consultation with Egypt’s Grand Mufti, a required procedure in capital cases. However, the ruling remains subject to appeal.
Egypt permits the death penalty for offences including drug trafficking, terrorism and premeditated murder. The case highlights the country’s tough approach to serious narcotics offences.
