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An Egyptian court has sentenced popular television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 others to death by hanging for allegedly manufacturing and trafficking narcotics, Egyptian state media reported on Saturday.
Khalifa, 39, is known for presenting “Mission Impossible,” a television programme focused on security and crime-related issues.
The Cairo court found the defendants guilty of forming an organised criminal gang involved in procuring materials for manufacturing narcotics for trafficking, as well as possessing and carrying unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The verdict followed consultation with Egypt’s Grand Mufti, whose religious opinion is required in capital punishment cases under Egyptian law. The defendants can appeal the ruling.
According to state-run media, the group was accused of manufacturing synthetic drugs using raw materials imported from abroad with the intention of trafficking them.
Authorities reportedly seized more than 750 kilogrammes of narcotics and raw materials, while two apartments allegedly used as drug laboratories were also discovered. Unlicensed firearms and ammunition were recovered during the investigation.
Khalifa, who also owns a plastic surgery clinic and a production company involved in organising parties and events, was separately sentenced to five years in prison alongside some of the defendants over the kidnapping and assault of a young man.
Egypt imposes the death penalty for several offences, including premeditated murder, terrorism, certain rape cases and drug trafficking.
According to the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms, 541 death sentences were issued in Egypt in 2025.
