Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 others were sentenced to death for drug trafficking charges.
Key facts
- •Sarah Khalifa hosted a television program titled Mission Impossible that focused on crime.
- •The court seized over 750kg of narcotics and raw materials during the investigation.
- •A total of 28 people were involved in the case, with 12 receiving death sentences, nine receiving life sentences, and seven being acquitted.
- •Egyptian law requires the grand mufti to provide a religious opinion before a death sentence can be finalized.
- •A 2025 Amnesty International report noted that 492 death sentences were issued in Egypt that year, with 23 carried out.
Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa, 39, has been sentenced to death by hanging following a drug trafficking conviction. Khalifa, known for her crime-focused television program Mission Impossible, was sentenced alongside 11 other individuals found guilty of importing ingredients for drug production. Her lawyer has confirmed plans to appeal the sentence.
Details of the Case
According to the state-owned newspaper al-Ahram, the defendants were part of a criminal gang involved in importing raw materials for drug manufacturing. During the trial, authorities reported the seizure of more than 750kg of narcotics and related raw materials. Prosecutors presented evidence including statements from 20 witnesses and electronic records such as video clips and conversations.
Legal Proceedings and Defense
The death sentences were confirmed following a mandatory religious opinion from Egypt's grand mufti. During a court appearance in September, Khalifa denied the charges, stating she had never seen the drugs until she was photographed with them at the anti-narcotics authority offices. In addition to the 12 death sentences, nine other defendants received life imprisonment, while seven were acquitted.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Entertainment & Arts.
