Popular Egyptian television host and media personality, Sarah Khalifa, has been sentenced to death by hanging after being convicted in a major drug manufacturing and trafficking case.
The 39-year-old presenter was among 12 defendants handed the death penalty by a Cairo criminal court after they were found guilty of forming an organised criminal group allegedly involved in obtaining materials used to manufacture synthetic drugs for trafficking.
Khalifa, who became known for hosting the crime-focused television programme “Mission Impossible,” was arrested in Cairo in April 2025 as investigators uncovered what prosecutors described as a large-scale drug operation.
According to reports, authorities seized more than 750kg of narcotics and raw materials during the investigation. Two apartments allegedly used to store materials and manufacture the drugs were also reportedly uncovered.
Prosecutors alleged that members of the group had different roles, including importing raw materials from abroad, manufacturing the synthetic drugs and preparing them for distribution.
The defendants were also convicted of possessing and carrying firearms and ammunition without licences. The prosecution reportedly relied on witness statements as well as digital and technical evidence, including messages, photographs and videos.
Khalifa, however, has consistently denied involvement in the alleged drug operation.
Reports said the television personality became emotional during the proceedings and pleaded for mercy, maintaining that she had no need to make money from drugs.
The court also sentenced nine other defendants to life imprisonment, while seven people were acquitted in the 28-defendant case.
The death sentence followed consultation with Egypt’s Grand Mufti, a required procedure in capital cases. However, the ruling is subject to appeal, meaning Khalifa’s legal battle is not yet over.
Her lawyer has indicated that an appeal will be filed, giving a higher court the opportunity to review the verdict.
The shocking development has attracted widespread attention in Egypt and beyond, particularly because Khalifa was a familiar television face and has millions of followers on social media.
