Egyptian TV Presenter Sarah Khalifa Sentenced to Death in Drug Trafficking Case

A Cairo court sentenced Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 others to death by hanging on September 5 after convicting them of manufacturing and trafficking synthetic drugs. Khalifa, 39, hosted the security and crime program Mission Impossible and also owned a cosmetic surgery clinic and event planning company. Authorities seized over 750kg of narcotics and raw materials during the investigation. The verdict is subject to appeal.

What the court found

The Cairo criminal court found Khalifa and her co-defendants guilty of forming an organized criminal gang that imported raw materials from abroad to manufacture synthetic drugs for sale. Authorities discovered two apartments used as laboratories, unlicensed firearms, and ammunition. Prosecutors presented evidence from 20 witnesses and electronic records including conversations and video clips. The court heard testimony that Khalifa denied involvement, saying she had never seen drugs until being photographed with them at anti-narcotics offices.

The sentences and appeals process

Khalifa and 11 others received death sentences by hanging. Nine co-defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment, and seven were acquitted. In a separate case, Khalifa was also sentenced to five years in prison for kidnapping and assault. Her lawyer announced plans to appeal the death sentence before Egypt’s Court of Cassation. Under recent judicial reforms, defendants have two avenues of appeal.

Egypt’s death penalty framework

The verdict required consultation with Egypt’s Grand Mufti for a non-binding religious opinion, a legal requirement in all capital cases under Egyptian law. Egypt applies the death penalty for premeditated murder, terrorism, some rape offences, and drug trafficking. According to the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms, 541 death sentences were issued in Egypt in 2025. An Amnesty International report found 492 death sentences issued in 2025, with only 23 carried out.

Khalifa’s background and defense

Khalifa, 39, gained prominence hosting Mission Impossible, which focused on security and crime issues on the private Al-Mehwar TV channel. She maintained over two million Instagram followers and ran multiple businesses. During court proceedings, she denied all charges and told investigators she had never smoked a cigarette. Egyptian media reported she wept during sentencing, appealing to the court for mercy and stating her parents raised her well.

Final Thoughts

Khalifa’s death sentence marks one of Egypt’s highest-profile drug trafficking convictions and highlights the country’s aggressive use of capital punishment in narcotics cases. The verdict is not final, as her legal team has signaled an appeal.

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