Full story
Death Sentence in Cairo
An Egyptian court sentenced TV producer and presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 other defendants to death by hanging in a case described by Egyptian media as the “major drugs case,” after a Cairo Criminal Court consulted the Grand Mufti for a religious opinion required by Egyptian law in capital cases.
“A Cairo Criminal Court on Saturday sentenced famous TV producer and presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 other defendants to death by hanging”
Gulf News said the trial involved 28 defendants, with nine receiving life terms and seven acquitted, while the court also sentenced Khalifa and 11 others to death by hanging.
The court also sentenced Khalifa and others for charges including possessing firearms and ammunition without licences, and prosecutors said investigators seized more than 750 kilograms of synthetic drugs and materials used in their manufacture.
The South China Morning Post reported the state-linked Al-Ahram newspaper said a Cairo court sentenced “Khalifa and 11 other defendants to death by hanging on charges of forming an organised criminal gang specialising in procuring materials used in manufacturing narcotics”.
Appeal and Separate Case
The verdict was reported as subject to appeal, with the Guardian stating the death sentence came after the court consulted the Grand Mufti of Egypt for his religious opinion, a procedure required by Egyptian law in capital cases.
The Guardian also reported that the court sentenced Khalifa and others to five years in prison over a separate case involving the kidnapping and assault of a young man.
Ouest-France said the Cairo Criminal Court “sentenced producer Sarah Khalifa and 11 other defendants to death by hanging for forming a criminal organization specialized in importing substances used in the manufacture of drugs,” and it added that the convicted may still appeal.
The Guardian described Khalifa as 39 and said she is best known for her programme Mission Impossible, which dealt with issues concerning security and crime, and it said the state-linked Al-Ahram newspaper reported the charges included possessing and carrying unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Law, Numbers, and Roles
The Guardian said Egypt applies the death penalty for premeditated murder, terrorism, some rape offences and drug trafficking, and it cited the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms saying 541 death sentences were issued in Egypt in 2025.
“541 death sentences were issued in Egypt in 2025”
In the case details highlighted by Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, Lieutenant General Tamer El-Chaouai said the ruling was “a strict application of Law No. 182 of 1960 on combating drugs,” and he described it as “a punitive message to anyone who dares to ruin the youth of this homeland.”
Al-Sharq Al-Awsat also said the Public Prosecution referred 28 defendants, including Sara Khilfah Hamada, to the Criminal Court, and it reported that nine defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment and seven were acquitted.
The same report said investigations indicated the seizure of about 750 kilograms of drugs and raw materials used in their manufacture, and it added that the ruling in the “great drugs” case was issued in person for 9 defendants while two fugitives were judged in absentia.