CAIRO: Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 other defendants have been sentenced to death after being convicted in a major drug-related case involving the alleged importation of substances and raw materials used in the manufacture of narcotics.
According to Egypt’s state-run Al-Ahram, the defendants were found guilty of belonging to a criminal organization allegedly involved in importing materials intended for drug production and distributing them for profit. Authorities also accused the group of possessing illegal firearms.
Khalifa, 39, is a well-known television presenter who gained public attention through her crime-focused programme “Mission Impossible.” She has denied the allegations against her and maintained that she had no involvement in drug-related activities.
The court also sentenced nine other defendants to life imprisonment, while seven defendants were acquitted.
Khalifa’s lawyer has said that she will challenge the death sentence through an appeal.
The death sentences were initially announced last month. However, under Egypt’s legal procedure, death sentences require a non-binding religious opinion from the country’s Grand Mufti before they can be finalized. Following the required consultation, the court formally upheld the sentences one month later.
More Than 750 Kilograms of Drugs Seized
During the proceedings, prosecutors told the court that authorities had seized more than 750 kilograms (1,653 pounds) of narcotics, along with raw materials allegedly imported for the production of illegal drugs.
According to Al-Ahram, prosecutors presented statements from 20 witnesses, as well as electronic evidence that reportedly included conversations and video recordings.
Egyptian newspaper Al-Youm reported that during a court hearing last September, the judge questioned Khalifa about her alleged role in the organization. She reportedly told the court that she had never seen drugs before, claiming that the first time she encountered them was when her photograph was taken at an anti-narcotics authority office.
Death Penalty Draws Human Rights Concerns
The case has also attracted attention from human rights organizations because of Egypt’s continued use of the death penalty.
According to Amnesty International’s 2025 report, Egyptian courts handed down 492 death sentences during the year, while 23 executions were carried out.
The organization said some defendants executed or sentenced to death had been convicted in cases involving crimes such as rape and drug trafficking rather than intentional killing. Amnesty argues that international law and standards restrict the use of the death penalty to the “most serious crimes,” generally understood to involve intentional killing.
The case of Sarah Khalifa is therefore likely to remain under scrutiny as her legal team prepares to appeal the death sentence.
