A Cairo court has sentenced well-known Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 other defendants to death for their roles in a major narcotics trafficking operation, according to state media reports released on Saturday.
Khalifa, 39, gained prominence for hosting the program “Mission Impossible,” which focused on security and crime-related issues. She also operates a plastic surgery clinic and a production company specializing in event management.
The Al-Ahram newspaper reported that the defendants were convicted of forming an organized criminal gang dedicated to importing materials for manufacturing synthetic drugs with the intent to traffic them. The group was also found guilty of possessing and carrying unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Authorities seized more than 750 kilograms of narcotics and raw materials, along with two apartments converted into laboratories and various weapons during the investigation.
The verdict followed consultation with the Grand Mufti of Egypt, a mandatory step in capital cases under Egyptian law. The sentence is subject to appeal.
In addition to the death penalty, the court sentenced Khalifa and several co-defendants to five years in prison for a separate conviction involving the kidnapping and assault of a young man.
Egypt imposes the death penalty for crimes including premeditated murder, terrorism, certain rape offenses, and drug trafficking. According to the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms, 541 death sentences were issued in the country in 2025.
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