Egyptian television presenter and influencer Sarah Khalifa has been sentenced to death by hanging after a Cairo criminal court convicted her and 11 other defendants in a major drug trafficking case.
The 39-year-old media personality, best known for hosting the crime and security programme Mission Impossible, was among 12 defendants handed the death penalty in a case involving the alleged manufacture and trafficking of synthetic narcotics. The verdict was delivered on September 5, 2026, according to Egyptian and international reports.
Khalifa, who has more than two million Instagram followers, has consistently denied involvement in the alleged drug operation. Reports said she became emotional during the court proceedings and appealed to the judge to listen to her side.
“Please listen to me, sir. My parents raised me well; they are people who pray, and I don’t need drug money,” she reportedly told the court.
She also reportedly told investigators that she had never smoked a cigarette and maintained her innocence throughout the case.
Sarah Khalifa convicted in major drug case
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According to state-linked Egyptian media, prosecutors accused Khalifa and the other defendants of forming an organised criminal group involved in obtaining materials used to manufacture synthetic drugs, producing the narcotics and preparing them for distribution.
Investigators reportedly said the operation involved importing raw materials from abroad and using residential properties to store the materials and manufacture the drugs.
Authorities said they seized more than 750 kilograms of synthetic narcotics and production materials, equivalent to roughly 1,650 pounds. Unlicensed firearms and ammunition were also reportedly recovered during the investigation.
The prosecution alleged that the group operated through a division of responsibilities, with different members involved in importing materials, manufacturing the drugs and distributing the finished products.
28 defendants faced trial
The case involved a total of 28 defendants.
While 12 defendants, including Khalifa, received death sentences, nine others were sentenced to life imprisonment. Seven defendants were acquitted.
The court also ordered fines and the confiscation of seized materials and other items connected to the case, according to Egyptian reports.
Khalifa was arrested in Cairo in April 2025 during the investigation into the alleged drug network.
Court consulted Egypt’s Grand Mufti
Before issuing the death sentences, the Cairo Criminal Court referred the defendants’ cases to Egypt’s Grand Mufti for a religious opinion.
Consulting the Grand Mufti is a required procedural step in Egyptian capital cases. The opinion is advisory, meaning the court is not legally bound to follow it.
The verdict is not yet final.
Khalifa and the other defendants have the right to challenge the ruling through Egypt’s appeals process. Recent judicial reforms provide avenues for defendants to seek review of criminal convictions and sentences.
Who is Sarah Khalifa?
Sarah Khalifa is a prominent Egyptian media personality who became widely known through Mission Impossible, a programme focused on crime and security issues.
Beyond television, she has business interests that include a cosmetic surgery clinic and an events production company. Her substantial social media following has also made her a recognisable public figure in Egypt.
The drug case has therefore attracted considerable public attention because of her profile as a television personality.
Separate prison sentence
Khalifa also received a separate prison sentence in another case heard by the same court.
Reports said she was sentenced to five years in prison in connection with a separate case involving the alleged kidnapping and assault of a young man. Al Jazeera additionally reported that she received a three-year sentence in a separate assault-and-filming case, highlighting that multiple proceedings have involved the presenter.
Death sentence remains subject to appeal
Although the Cairo court has handed down the death penalty, Sarah Khalifa has not been executed and the ruling remains subject to appeal.
The next stage of the case will therefore depend on the Egyptian appeals process. The convictions and sentences could potentially be upheld, modified or overturned following judicial review.
For now, the verdict represents a major development in one of Egypt’s most closely watched drug trafficking prosecutions, involving 28 defendants and the seizure of hundreds of kilograms of narcotics and manufacturing materials.
Khalifa continues to deny the allegations against her, while the prosecution and court have reached a different conclusion based on the evidence presented during the trial.
