World
Cairo Court Condemns TV Host and 11 Others to Death in Major Drug Trafficking Case
A Cairo criminal court has sentenced television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 other defendants to death by hanging following their conviction on drug trafficking charges, according to a report by the state-linked Al-Ahram outlet on Saturday. The court found the group guilty of running an organised criminal network that procured materials used to manufacture narcotics with the intent to distribute them. In addition to the death sentences, nine co-defendants received life imprisonment terms, while seven others were acquitted. The case involved a total of 28 defendants and more than 750 kilograms of narcotics. Khalifa, 39, is widely recognised for hosting 'Mission Impossible,' a security and crime program broadcast on the privately owned Al-Mehwar TV channel. Beyond her media career, she owned a cosmetic surgery clinic and an event planning business, and had built a large following on social media, with more than two million followers on Instagram. Khalifa maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings, telling investigators she had 'never smoked a cigarette' in her life. According to Egyptian media reports, she broke down in tears during the court session, pleading for leniency and stating, 'Please listen to me, sir. My parents raised me well; they are people who pray, and I don't need drug money.' Prosecutors alleged that the criminal organisation imported raw materials from abroad to produce synthetic drugs, which were then stored in residential properties. The group reportedly divided responsibilities among members for procurement, manufacturing, and distribution. During the investigation, authorities also seized unlicensed firearms and ammunition alongside the narcotics. Officials said one residential property was specifically used for storing materials and manufacturing the drugs. Before issuing the verdict, the court sought a non-binding religious opinion from Egypt's grand mufti, a legal requirement in cases involving capital punishment. The ruling can still be challenged before the Court of Cassation, and under recent judicial reforms, defendants now have two possible avenues for appeal, starting with a request for retrial before an appeals court. Khalifa was originally arrested in April 2025 in connection with the investigation. In a separate ruling issued the same day, the same court sentenced her to three years in prison for assaulting and filming her driver. Egypt enforces the death penalty for offences including drug trafficking, terrorism, and premeditated murder.