06.09.2026 00:50
Presenter Sarah Khalifa, known for her television program addressing security and crime issues in Egypt, and 11 other individuals have been sentenced to death for the crimes of drug manufacturing and trafficking. Authorities reportedly seized more than 750 kilograms of drugs and raw materials during the drug operation, and found two addresses allegedly used in drug production, as well as unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
A court in Egypt has sentenced prominent television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 others to death on charges of drug production and trafficking in a wide-ranging drug case.
THEY WILL BE EXECUTED BY HANGING FOR 2 CRIMES
Reports in the country's press stated that authorities seized more than 750 kilograms of narcotics and raw materials, along with two addresses said to be used in drug production, as well as unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
According to the state-run Al-Ahram newspaper, the court in the capital Cairo sentenced Khalifa and 11 defendants to death by hanging for “establishing an organized criminal gang aimed at producing and trafficking drugs by obtaining substances used in drug production, and possessing and carrying unlicensed firearms and ammunition.”
The court also sentenced Khalifa and some other defendants to five years in prison each in a separate case related to the kidnapping and beating of a young man.
It was noted that before the death sentence, the court referred to Egypt's Grand Mufti, Nazir Muhammad Ayyad, to obtain the religious opinion required by Egyptian law in death penalty cases. It was stated that the court's decision is subject to appeal.
SHE IS KNOWN FOR HER TELEVISION PROGRAM COVERING SECURITY AND CRIME TOPICS
It was also reported that Khalifa owns an aesthetic surgery clinic and a production company specializing in party and event organization. The 39-year-old presenter is known for her program “Mission Impossible,” which covers security and crime topics.
It is known that in Egypt, the death penalty is applied for premeditated murder, terrorist acts, certain rape crimes, and drug trafficking. According to the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms, 541 death sentences were handed down in the country in 2025.