Egyptian presenter Sarah Khalifa sentenced to death for running narcotics operation

A Cairo court on Saturday sentenced television presenter Sarah Khalifa, 39, and 11 others to death for forming an organised criminal gang that procured materials used to manufacture narcotics with the intent to traffic them.

State-linked Al-Ahram said the verdict followed consultation with Egypt’s Grand Mufti, a procedure required by law in capital cases, and added that the defendants were also accused of possessing and carrying unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

State-run Akhbar el-Yom reported the charges included manufacturing synthetic drugs for trafficking by importing the materials used in production from abroad. Al-Ahram said authorities seized more than 750 kg of narcotics and raw materials, found two apartments used as laboratories, and discovered unlicensed weapons and ammunition.

In a separate case, the court sentenced Khalifa and others to five years in prison over the kidnapping and assault of a young man. Khalifa is known for presenting the programme Mission Impossible and owns a cosmetic surgery clinic and a production company that organises parties and events.

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