Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa was among 12 accused sentenced to death by hanging on Saturday over their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking network, according to Egyptian state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram.
Cairo’s Criminal Court fined each of the 12 defendants 500,000 Egyptian pounds (about $9,800). The group was accused of forming an organized criminal network that allegedly specialized in importing substances used to manufacture narcotics for trafficking. They were also accused of possessing firearms without licences.
The court sentenced nine other defendants to life imprisonment, while seven were acquitted. Prosecutors alleged that the network imported materials needed to produce synthetic drugs from abroad, with different members assigned to various stages of the operation.
Authorities seized 750 kilograms of synthetic narcotics and other raw materials from a residential property that prosecutors alleged was being used to store and manufacture the drugs. The prosecution’s case was based on testimony from 20 witnesses, as well as conversations, photographs and video recordings.
Khalifa, who has about 2.5 million Instagram followers, reportedly wept during the sentencing and appealed for “mercy and humanity,” according to footage circulating on social media. The footage had not been independently verified. In the footage, she denied wrongdoing, saying she had never smoked a cigarette and insisting that she had been wronged.
The case reflects Egypt’s continued use of the death penalty. Amnesty International reported that Egyptian courts issued 492 death sentences in 2025, among the highest recorded figures globally, while 23 prisoners were executed.
What This Means for Expats: Expats in Egypt should be aware of the country’s strict drug laws and severe penalties, including capital punishment for trafficking-related offences. The case demonstrates that involvement in drug networks carries extreme legal consequences regardless of public profile or status.
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Source: Times of Kuwait
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