Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa has been sentenced to death by hanging after a Cairo Criminal Court convicted her and 11 others in a major narcotics case involving more than 750 kilogrammes of drugs.
The 39-year-old presenter, known for hosting the security and crime programme Mission Impossible on Al-Mehwar TV, was among 28 defendants tried in the case.
According to state-linked Al-Ahram, the court found the accused guilty of forming an organised criminal network involved in importing raw materials used to manufacture synthetic drugs and subsequently trafficking the finished narcotics.
Nine other defendants received life imprisonment sentences, while seven people were acquitted.
Khalifa reportedly maintained her innocence throughout the investigation, denying allegations against her and telling prosecutors that she had never smoked a cigarette.
During the court proceedings, the presenter reportedly broke down in tears and appealed for mercy, insisting that she had been properly raised by her parents and had no reason to become involved in the drug trade.
Investigators alleged that the network imported materials from abroad, stored them in residential properties and used the locations to manufacture and distribute synthetic drugs. Authorities also reportedly recovered unlicensed firearms and ammunition during the investigation.
The death sentences are not yet final. They will undergo Egypt’s mandatory legal review process before any execution can be carried out.
