An Egyptian court has sentenced TV presenter Sara Khalifa to death by hanging, along with 11 other defendants, in one of the biggest drugs cases to have faced the country’s authorities.
The Cairo court handed down the death sentence to the 39-year-old TV presenter and the 11 co-defendants, who were found guilty of forming an organised criminal group to produce and distribute drugs.
The ruling relates to a case Egyptian media have described as a major drugs case, with the final verdict issued after consultation with Egypt’s Grand Mufti, a step required in death penalty cases in the country.
Charges of producing synthetic drugs
According to the charge sheet, Khalifa and the other defendants were accused of setting up a network to supply materials used in the manufacture of synthetic drugs for sale.
Authorities say more than 750 kilograms of drugs and raw materials were seized during the investigation, while sites allegedly used as laboratories were also identified, along with unlicensed weapons and ammunition.
Television career and a double life
Khalifa became known to Egyptian audiences through the programme Mission Impossible, which focused on security and crime issues.
Alongside her television work, she also ran a cosmetic surgery clinic and an events production company.
Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa has been sentenced to death by hanging in Egypt over a major drug case.
— Clash Report (@clashreport) September 5, 2026
She and 11 others were convicted of forming an organized criminal gang to manufacture and traffic synthetic drugs, allegedly using imported materials.… pic.twitter.com/UydFSoHAgT
She denied the charges, insisting she had no connection to the drugs and that she had only seen them for the first time when photographs were shown to her by the authorities.
Case could still go to appeal
Despite the conviction, the case is not yet closed, as the defendants have the right to appeal against the ruling.
Egypt applies the death penalty to a number of serious offences, including terrorism, murder, and drug trafficking.
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