Sarah Khalifa and 11 others sentenced to death in Egypt drug case

Egyptian TV presenter Sarah Khalifa and 12 others were sentenced to death for their alleged roles in a drug trafficking network, according to state-owned media reports. The Cairo Criminal Court convicted the defendants of forming an organized criminal gang that imported materials for synthetic drug production and possessed unlicensed firearms, the al Ahram newspaper reported. The 12 individuals, including Khalifa, were ordered to be hanged and fined 500,000 Egyptian pounds ($9,800). Nine others received life imprisonment, while seven were acquitted.

Death Sentences in Egypt’s Drug Case

The sentencing followed a trial that examined the defendants’ involvement in a sprawling narcotics operation. Prosecutors alleged that the group imported raw materials for synthetic drug manufacturing and distributed the substances, with different individuals handling distinct stages of the process. Authorities seized over 750 kilograms of narcotics and drug-making materials, along with two apartments used as laboratories, according to al Ahram. The case involved 28 defendants, with 20 witnesses and digital evidence—such as messages, photographs, and videos—used to build the prosecution’s case.

Khalifa, 39, who hosts the crime-focused program Mission Impossible, denied the charges. She claimed she had never used drugs and only saw the substances after authorities showed her photographs of them, as reported by news9live.com. During the trial, she reportedly wept and pleaded for “mercy and humanity,” stating, “I have never smoked a cigarette in my life.” The court also considered a religious opinion from Egypt’s Grand Mufti, a required step in capital punishment cases, though the ruling was advisory and non-binding.

Legal Proceedings and Charges

The defendants were charged with “importing substances used in the manufacture of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking” and “possessing firearms without a license,” as cited by al Ahram. Prosecutors emphasized the group’s structured division of labor, with some members responsible for importing materials, others for manufacturing drugs, and others for distribution. The case also included a separate charge of kidnapping and assault, which led to five-year prison terms for Khalifa and others.

Egypt’s legal system permits the death penalty for offenses including drug trafficking, terrorism, and premeditated murder. The country’s high rate of capital sentencing has drawn scrutiny from international rights organizations. In 2025, Egypt issued 492 death sentences, with 23 executions, according to Amnesty International. The Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms reported 541 death sentences for the same year, highlighting discrepancies in data collection methods.

Context of Egypt’s Death Penalty

Egypt’s use of the death penalty has intensified in recent years, with critics arguing that trials in such cases often lack due process. The sentencing of Khalifa and her co-defendants aligns with a broader trend of harsher penalties for drug-related offenses. State media frequently reports on such cases, framing them as part of efforts to combat organized crime. However, human rights groups have raised concerns about the transparency of proceedings and the potential for wrongful convictions.

Khalifa, a prominent figure with 2.5 million Instagram followers, is known for her work in television and her ownership of a beauty clinic and events production company. Her case has drawn attention both domestically and internationally, with some observers questioning the fairness of the trial. The defendants have the right to appeal the verdict to Egypt’s Court of Cassation, though the process can take years.

The case underscores the complexities of Egypt’s justice system and its approach to drug-related crimes. While state media frames the sentencing as a victory against organized crime, international observers continue to monitor the country’s use of the death penalty and its adherence to procedural fairness. The next step for the defendants will be to file appeals, though the outcome remains uncertain.