Why TV Presenter Sarah Khalifa Has Been Sentenced to Death by Hanging in Egypt

Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa, 39, and 11 other defendants have been sentenced to death by hanging after being convicted in a major drug case involving the alleged manufacture and trafficking of narcotics. The Cairo Criminal Court issued the verdict on Saturday, September 5, after receiving the opinion of Egypt’s Grand Mufti, a required step before a death sentence can be finalised. The ruling can be appealed.

Khalifa, best known for her television programme Mission Impossible, which dealt with crime and security issues, has denied the charges, BBC reported. State media reported that prosecutors accused the defendants of forming an organised criminal gang that imported materials used to manufacture drugs with the intention of trafficking them, while also possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Who Is Parastoo Ahmadi? Iranian Singer Sentenced to 74 Lashes for Singing Patriotic Song Without Hijab (Watch Video).

What Led To The Death Sentence?

According to state-owned al-Akhram newspaper, Khalifa and the other defendants were part of a criminal gang which imported ingredients used to make drugs with the intent of selling them. They also had illegal firearms and munitions.

During the investigation, authorities seized more than 750kg (1,653lbs) of narcotics and raw materials used to manufacture them, according to reports on the case. Investigators also said the group had divided roles involving the importation, manufacture and distribution of synthetic drugs.

Twenty witnesses gave statements to prosecutors, al-Akhram said, alongside electronic evidence that included conversations and video clips. The case, widely referred to in Egyptian media as the “major drugs case”, involved 28 defendants in total. The court sentenced nine others to life imprisonment and acquitted seven defendants.

What Did Sarah Khalifa Say?

Khalifa has denied the allegations against her. According to the state-run Akhbar al-Youm newspaper, when asked by the judge about her alleged role during a court appearance last September, Khalifa said she had never seen any drugs until she was photographed with them inside the anti-narcotics authority offices.

Her denial was made during the proceedings in a case in which prosecutors alleged that she was involved in the criminal organisation and the trafficking operation. The latest verdict followed an earlier court decision to refer the papers of Khalifa and other defendants to the Grand Mufti for a religious opinion on the death penalty. That opinion is required procedurally in Egyptian capital cases, although the final decision remains with the court.

Why Was The Verdict Confirmed A Month Later?

The death sentences were initially referred to the Grand Mufti in August, with September 5 set as the date for the final judgment. Under Egypt’s judicial procedure, courts seek the Grand Mufti’s opinion before issuing a death sentence. The opinion is advisory rather than binding, but it is a required step in the process.

The Cairo Criminal Court subsequently issued the death sentences against Khalifa and 11 other defendants after the Mufti’s opinion was received. The defendants have the right to appeal the ruling.

Who Is Sarah Khalifa?

Khalifa is a television presenter and producer who became known for Mission Impossible, a programme focused on crime and security issues. The 39-year-old has also been described in reports as the owner of a cosmetic surgery clinic and an event production company. Her public profile has brought additional attention to a case involving allegations of organised drug manufacturing and trafficking.

The prosecution case included witness testimony and electronic evidence, as well as the seizure of large quantities of narcotics and materials allegedly intended for drug production. Authorities said more than 750kg of drugs and raw materials were seized. Investigators also alleged that residential properties were used to store and manufacture the substances.

The case also included allegations concerning unlicensed firearms and ammunition. According to Egyptian state media, the defendants were convicted of charges involving the procurement of materials used in manufacturing narcotics, with the intention of trafficking them, as well as possessing and carrying unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

What Does Amnesty International Say About Egypt’s Death Penalty?

The case comes amid continued international scrutiny of Egypt’s use of capital punishment. According to a 2025 Amnesty International report, there were 492 death sentences in the course of the year, 23 of whom were executed.

The defendants were found guilty of drug trafficking and rape, "crimes that did not amount to 'intentional killing' to which the use of the death penalty must be restricted under international law and standards", the report said. Amnesty’s broader report recorded 492 new death sentences in Egypt during 2025, placing the country among those with the highest recorded numbers of new capital sentences that year.

The latest ruling therefore adds to an ongoing debate over Egypt’s use of the death penalty, particularly in cases involving drug offences and other crimes that do not involve intentional killing.

The death sentences against Khalifa and the 11 other defendants are not necessarily the end of the legal process. The verdict can be appealed, meaning the sentences are subject to further judicial review.

For now, Khalifa remains convicted in the major drug case, while the other defendants face different outcomes depending on their individual sentences. The court’s September 5 ruling formally concluded the trial stage after the Grand Mufti’s opinion was received.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 06, 2026 08:01 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).