The Cairo Criminal Court sentenced Egyptian TV presenter and producer Sarah Khalifa and 11 other defendants to death by hanging in a major drug case, according to Al-Ahram.
Drug trafficking charges
According to the prosecution, the defendants were part of an organized criminal group involved in procuring raw materials used to manufacture synthetic drugs and in their subsequent production and distribution. They were also charged with illegally possessing firearms and ammunition.
A total of 28 defendants were tried in the case. Nine were sentenced to life in prison, while seven were acquitted.
Investigators said the group members had divided responsibilities among themselves, with some procuring raw materials and others handling drug production and distribution. According to prosecutors, residential apartments were used to store materials and operate clandestine drug laboratories.
Law enforcement authorities seized more than 750 kilograms of drugs and raw materials used in their production, according to reports.
The prosecution presented testimony from 20 witnesses, along with digital and technical evidence, including correspondence, photographs and video recordings.
Khalifa’s arrest and TV career
Khalifa, 39, was arrested in Cairo in April 2025. She became known for hosting «Mission Impossible,» a television program focused on crime and security issues. She has denied the charges against her.
Appeal remains possible
The death sentences are not yet final. The defendants have the right to appeal the ruling before Egypt’s Court of Cassation, the country’s highest court for criminal and civil cases.
