Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Egyptian Presenter Sarah Khalifa Sentenced to Death in Drug Case
An Egyptian court sentenced television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 other people to death.
They were accused of helping a group make and sell synthetic drugs.
Prosecutors said the group brought drug-making materials into Egypt and divided jobs among its members.
Authorities reportedly found more than 750 kilograms of drugs and materials, as well as two alleged drug laboratories.
Investigators also found firearms and ammunition.
Nine other defendants received life sentences, and seven people were acquitted.
Khalifa says she is innocent and says she had never seen drugs before being photographed with them at an anti-narcotics office.
Her lawyer plans to appeal, while Amnesty International objected to the death sentences.
An Egyptian court sentenced television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 others to death by hanging in a major drug case.
Prosecutors said the defendants belonged to an organized group that imported materials, manufactured synthetic drugs and distributed them in Egypt.
Authorities reportedly seized more than 750 kilograms of narcotics and raw materials, along with two alleged drug laboratories, firearms and ammunition.
Nine defendants received life sentences, while seven others were acquitted; the case also involved convictions for rape, according to reports.
Khalifa denies the allegations and plans to appeal, while Amnesty International criticized applying the death penalty to the offenses.
- Who
- Television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 other defendants were sentenced to death; nine others received life imprisonment and seven were acquitted.
- What
- An Egyptian court convicted defendants in a case involving alleged synthetic-drug trafficking and manufacturing, rape, firearms and ammunition.
- When
- The death sentences were announced or formally confirmed on September 5 after an earlier verdict had been issued the previous month; Khalifa was arrested in April 2025.
- Where
- Egypt; Khalifa was arrested in Cairo.
- Why
- The court found the defendants guilty of involvement in an organized criminal group accused of importing drug-making materials, manufacturing synthetic drugs and distributing them.
Defense and Rights Concerns
Court and Prosecution Findings
Khalifa's alleged involvement
Defense and Rights Concerns
Khalifa denies the allegations and says she had never encountered drugs before being photographed with them inside an anti-narcotics authority office. She also said she had never smoked a cigarette in her life.
Court and Prosecution Findings
The court convicted Khalifa as part of an organized criminal group accused of importing materials, producing synthetic drugs and distributing them.
Evidence in the case
Defense and Rights Concerns
The defense position reported in the articles is that Khalifa rejected the accusations and denied prior contact with drugs.
Court and Prosecution Findings
Prosecutors cited more than 750 kilograms of narcotics, alleged drug-production materials, two laboratories, witness testimony, messages, photographs and videos.
Use of the death penalty
Defense and Rights Concerns
Amnesty International said drug trafficking and rape do not amount to intentional killing and argued that international standards restrict the death penalty to cases involving such killings.
Court and Prosecution Findings
The court confirmed the death sentences after obtaining the Grand Mufti's non-binding religious opinion, as required in Egypt's death-penalty procedure.
- Death sentences
- Sarah Khalifa and 11 other defendants were sentenced to death by hanging.
- Other sentences
- Nine defendants received life imprisonment.
- Acquittals
- Seven defendants were acquitted.
- Reported seizure
- Authorities confiscated more than 750 kilograms of narcotics and materials allegedly intended for drug production.
- Other alleged evidence
- Investigators reportedly found two apartments allegedly converted into drug laboratories, unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
- Prosecution evidence
- Prosecutors cited statements from 20 witnesses and technical or digital material, including messages, photographs and videos.
- Appeal status
- Khalifa denies the allegations, and her lawyer has said an appeal will be filed; the verdict is not final.
