Sarah Khalifa sentenced to death in Egyptian drug trafficking case

Sarah Khalifa drug trafficking death penalty synthetic drugs Cairo Criminal Court

The Cairo Criminal Court has sentenced Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 others to death by hanging for their involvement in a major narcotics trafficking and manufacturing ring. The group was convicted of forming an organized criminal gang that imported raw materials to produce synthetic drugs for sale.

During the investigation, authorities seized more than 750 kilograms of synthetic narcotics and precursor materials from two residential properties used as laboratories. Investigators also recovered unlicensed firearms and ammunition. The prosecution’s case relied on testimony from 20 witnesses and electronic evidence, including video clips and messages.

In addition to the 12 death sentences, nine defendants received life imprisonment, while seven others were acquitted. The court also imposed a fine of 500,000 Egyptian pounds on the convicted. As part of the mandatory legal procedure for capital punishment in Egypt, the court consulted the Grand Mufti for a religious opinion before delivering the verdict.

Khalifa, 39, known for hosting the crime-focused program ‘Mission Impossible’ on Al-Mehwar TV, has maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings. During the trial, she reportedly pleaded for mercy and denied any connection to the drugs, stating she had never even smoked a cigarette. Her legal team has announced intentions to appeal the ruling.

Entities

Al-Ahram · Al-Mehwar · Al-Mehwar TV · Cairo · Cairo Criminal Court · Cairo Penal Court · Egypt · Egypt’s Grand Mufti · Grand Mufti of Egypt · Sarah Khalifa

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 16 SOURCES] The prosecution used testimony from 20 witnesses and electronic evidence, including videos and messages, to build the case. axadletimes.com · www.lebledparle.com · sapo.pt · periodicoatico.com.ar · www.tunisiaonlinenews.com · +10 more
[● 28 SOURCES] The defendants were part of an organized criminal gang that imported raw materials to manufacture and sell synthetic drugs. axadletimes.com · otvoreno.me · periodicoatico.com.ar · rtnk.me · thepodiummedia.com · +23 more
[● 15 SOURCES] The death sentences required a religious opinion from Egypt’s Grand Mufti as part of mandatory legal procedure. axadletimes.com · otvoreno.me · periodicoatico.com.ar · rtnk.me · www.lebledparle.com · +9 more
[● 27 SOURCES] Authorities seized more than 750 kilograms of narcotics and raw materials during the investigation. axadletimes.com · otvoreno.me · periodicoatico.com.ar · rtnk.me · thepodiummedia.com · +22 more
[● 27 SOURCES] Sarah Khalifa has denied all allegations and intends to appeal the ruling. axadletimes.com · otvoreno.me · periodicoatico.com.ar · rtnk.me · thepodiummedia.com · +22 more
[DISPUTED] The Cairo Criminal Court sentenced television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 others to death by hanging. axadletimes.com · otvoreno.me · periodicoatico.com.ar · rtnk.me · thepodiummedia.com · +23 more
[DISPUTED] Nine other defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment, and seven others were acquitted. axadletimes.com · otvoreno.me · periodicoatico.com.ar · rtnk.me · thepodiummedia.com · +13 more
[● 20 SOURCES] Authorities also discovered illegal firearms and ammunition during the investigation. axadletimes.com · otvoreno.me · periodicoatico.com.ar · rtnk.me · thepodiummedia.com · +15 more