An Egyptian court has sentenced television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 co-defendants to death by hanging after convicting them on drug and illegal weapons charges. The verdict was formally confirmed after the required religious review, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Khalifa, 39, hosted the crime-focused programme Mission Impossible and has consistently denied all charges. The court's ruling, which was first announced a month prior, became official after obtaining the opinion of the country's grand mufti, a mandatory step under Egyptian law before a death sentence can be finalized.
Details of the Case and Convictions
According to state-owned newspaper al-Ahram, Khalifa and the other convicted individuals belonged to a criminal gang that imported raw materials used in drug production with the intent to distribute them. The group also faced charges related to possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.
In addition to the 12 death sentences, nine other defendants were given life imprisonment, while seven were acquitted entirely. During proceedings last September, Khalifa told the court that she had no prior knowledge of any drugs and only came into contact with them when she was photographed alongside them inside the anti-narcotics authority’s offices, the BBC noted.
Evidence and Investigation Findings
Authorities recovered more than 750 kilogrammes of narcotics and imported raw materials during the investigation. Prosecutors relied on statements from 20 witnesses, along with electronic evidence that included recorded conversations and video clips, according to the Akhbar al-Youm newspaper.
Khalifa's lawyer has confirmed that an appeal against the death sentence will be filed. The case has drawn attention to Egypt's use of the death penalty, with human rights organizations raising concerns about its application in cases that do not involve intentional killing.
Broader Context of Death Penalty in Egypt
A 2025 Amnesty International report recorded 492 death sentences in Egypt over the course of that year, 23 of which were carried out. The report noted that several defendants sentenced to death in Egypt were convicted of offences including drug matters and sexual assault, describing these as 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 sentencing of Khalifa and her co-defendants highlights the ongoing debate over capital punishment in Egypt, particularly in cases involving drug-related offences. The appeal process will now determine the final outcome for those sentenced to death.
