An Egyptian court has handed down a death sentence to 39-year-old television host Sarah Khalifa alongside 11 co-defendants following their convictions on drug trafficking and related charges, according to state-aligned newspaper Al-Ahram.
Khalifa, prominent for hosting the crime-focused television show Mission Impossible, was accused of belonging to a syndicate that smuggled raw chemical ingredients into the country to manufacture illicit drugs for distribution. Prosecutors additionally charged members of the group with the unlawful possession of firearms and live ammunition.
The tribunal handed life sentences to nine other individuals implicated in the syndicate, while acquitting seven defendants. The capital punishment rulings were initially delivered last month and subsequently referred to Egypt’s Grand Mufti for a required non-binding religious consultation before final confirmation, in line with statutory criminal procedure in capital cases.
State media reported that law enforcement officers confiscated over 750 kilograms (1,653 pounds) of narcotics and raw chemical inputs. The prosecution supported its case using testimony from 20 witnesses, alongside digital evidence including wiretapped conversations and video surveillance.
Khalifa has maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings. State-run news outlet Akhbar al-Youm reported that during a September court appearance, Khalifa denied any connection to drug operations, stating she only saw the illicit substances when she was photographed alongside them at the headquarters of Egypt’s anti-narcotics division. Her legal defense counsel confirmed plans to lodge a formal appeal against the death sentence.
The verdict has reignited public debate surrounding Egypt’s application of capital punishment. Human rights organization Amnesty International recorded 492 death sentences and 23 executions in Egypt throughout 2025. The group continues to oppose the application of capital punishment for non-violent narcotics offenses, maintaining that drug-related crimes fall short of the “most serious crimes” threshold mandated under international legal standards.
