World
Egyptian TV Host Among Dozen Given Death Sentence in Drug Trafficking Case
By Today News Hours Editorial Desk
An Egyptian court has sentenced television presenter Sarah Khalifa, along with 11 other defendants, to death by hanging following convictions on drug-related charges. State-owned newspaper al-Ahram reported that the group was found to be part of a criminal network that imported materials used to manufacture drugs for sale, and that they also possessed illegal firearms and ammunition. Khalifa, 39, is widely recognized for hosting the television program Mission Impossible, which focused on crime-related topics. She has maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings. In addition to those sentenced to death, nine other defendants received life sentences, while seven were acquitted of all charges. Khalifa's legal representative stated that she intends to appeal the death sentence. The court's ruling was initially handed down last month but was only formally confirmed weeks later, after judges sought a religious ruling from Egypt's grand mufti, a mandatory step in cases involving capital punishment. Court proceedings revealed that authorities had confiscated more than 750kg (1,653lbs) of narcotics, along with imported raw materials intended for drug production. Al-Ahram reported that prosecutors gathered statements from 20 witnesses, along with electronic evidence including recorded conversations and video footage. According to state-run outlet Akhbar al-Youm, Khalifa told the judge during a court session last September that she had never encountered any drugs until she was photographed with them at the offices of the anti-narcotics authority. A 2025 report from Amnesty International documented 492 death sentences issued during the year, of which 23 were carried out. The organization noted that some of those sentenced were convicted of drug trafficking and rape, offenses that, according to the report, do not meet the threshold of 'intentional killing' required under international law and standards for the application of capital punishment.