Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa has been sentenced to death by hanging along with 11 other defendants in a major drug case, marking a dramatic turn for a media personality known for discussing crime and security on television.
Khalifa, 39, was known for hosting “Mission Impossible,” a program focused on crime and security issues. She was arrested in April 2025 as authorities investigated an alleged organized network involved in manufacturing and trafficking synthetic narcotics.
A Cairo Criminal Court convicted Khalifa and the other defendants of forming an organized criminal group that allegedly imported materials used to manufacture synthetic drugs for distribution. The case also involved charges related to possessing firearms and ammunition without licenses.
Authorities reportedly seized more than 750 kilograms of narcotics and raw materials during the investigation and discovered two apartments allegedly being used as drug laboratories.
The prosecution had originally referred 28 defendants to trial. Nine others were sentenced to life imprisonment, while seven defendants were acquitted, according to Egyptian state-linked reporting.
Khalifa has denied involvement in the alleged drug operation and has maintained her innocence. Reports from the proceedings said she became emotional in court as the death sentence was delivered.
The death verdict is not necessarily final. Under Egyptian law, the defendants have the right to appeal the convictions before the Court of Cassation. The court had also consulted Egypt’s Grand Mufti before issuing the death sentences, a required step in capital cases, although the Mufti’s opinion is advisory.
The case has attracted widespread attention because of Khalifa’s public profile and her previous work covering crime-related subjects on television.