In brief
A group of 12 individuals, including prominent TV presenter Sarah Khalifa, have been condemned to death by hanging in Egypt following convictions for drug trafficking and possession of firearms. The defendants were accused of importing drug ingredients and attempting to sell them, with authorities reporting more than 750kg of narcotics seized. Although nine other defendants received life sentences and seven were acquitted, Khalifa’s lawyer plans to appeal the death penalty. The court awaited a religious verdict from the Grand Mufti before finalizing the sentencing. International human rights reports criticize the use of the death penalty for non-violent offenses such as drug trafficking.
TV presenter Sarah Khalifa and eleven others have been sentenced to death by hanging after being convicted of drug trafficking charges.
Egyptian authorities said the defendants formed a criminal gang importing drug ingredients with the intent to sell them. They also possessed illegal firearms and munitions.
At 39 years old, Sarah Khalifa is best known for her crime‑focused TV program "Mission Impossible." She has denied the charges.
Nine fellow defendants received life imprisonment, while seven were acquitted.
Khalifa’s lawyer announced plans to appeal the death sentence.
The verdict was first announced last month and was only formally confirmed after the court secured a religious opinion from Egypt’s Grand Mufti, a legal requirement for death penalties.
During the trial, authorities reported seizing more than 750kg (1,653lbs) of narcotics and their raw manufacturing materials. Twenty witnesses gave statements to prosecutors and electronic evidence—conversations and video clips—was also presented.
When questioned in court, Khalifa claimed she had never seen drugs until photographed with them at an anti‑narcotics office.
According to an Amnesty International report, 492 death sentences were issued that year, 23 of which were carried out. The defendants were found guilty of drug trafficking and rape—crimes that do not meet the 'intentional killing' threshold required for the death penalty under international standards.
