Sarah Khalifa sentenced to death in Egypt, media say

An Egyptian court sentenced television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 other defendants to death in a drugs case, official media reported on Saturday.

The state-linked Al-Ahram newspaper said the Cairo court sentenced Khalifa and the others to death by hanging on charges linked to forming an organised criminal gang to procure materials for manufacturing narcotics with intent to traffic them, and to possessing and carrying unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

The verdict came after the court consulted the Grand Mufti of Egypt, a procedure required under Egyptian law in capital cases. The verdict is subject to appeal.

Khalifa, 39, is known for the programme "Mission Impossible", which covered security and crime issues. She also owns a plastic surgery clinic and a production company that organises parties and events.

The state-run Akhbar Al-Youm newspaper reported that the defendants were charged with manufacturing synthetic drugs with intent to traffic them by importing materials from abroad. Al-Ahram reported that authorities seized more than 750 kilograms of narcotics and raw materials, and found two apartments used as laboratories, as well as unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

The court also sentenced Khalifa and others to five years in prison in a separate case involving the kidnapping and assault of a young man.

Egypt applies the death penalty for premeditated murder, terrorism, some rape offences and drug trafficking. The Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms said 541 death sentences were issued in Egypt in 2025.