In brief
Egypt’s judiciary delivered a shock verdict: TV presenter Sarah Khalifa and eleven others received death sentences for drug trafficking. The case involved over 750kg of narcotics seized and allegations of firearms possession. While nine defendants received life sentences and seven were acquitted, the court awaited a religious ruling from the grand mufti before the death penalties were confirmed. Amnesty International flagged the case amid a year‑long wave of 492 death sentences in Egypt. The ruling has drawn criticism for its broad application of the death penalty beyond murder.
Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa, known for the crime‑focused show Mission Impossible, and 11 co‑defendants were condemned to death by hanging for drug trafficking charges.
The state‑owned al‑Ahram newspaper said the group formed a criminal gang that imported ingredients to manufacture drugs with the intent of selling them. The case also alleged possession of illegal firearms and munitions.
Khalifa, 39, denied any involvement in the alleged operations; her lawyer filed an appeal on her behalf.
Nine defendants received life sentences, while seven were cleared of the charges. The verdict, announced last month, was only confirmed a month later after the court obtained a religious opinion from Egypt’s grand mufti—a legal prerequisite for any death penalty case.
During the trial, authorities seized more than 750kg (1,653lbs) of narcotics and the raw materials needed to produce them. Twenty witnesses testified and electronic evidence, such as conversations and videos, was submitted.
An Amnesty International report highlighted that 492 death sentences were issued in Egypt this year, with 23 carried out, underscoring concerns that the penalty is applied for non‑murder offenses, contrary to international law.
