A Cairo court has sentenced Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa, 39, and 11 other defendants to death by hanging for their involvement in manufacturing and trafficking narcotics. The verdict was reported on Saturday by official media, marking a significant development in a large-scale drug case.

Khalifa is widely recognized for her television program "Mission Impossible," which focused on security and crime-related issues. The court found Khalifa and the co-defendants guilty of forming an organized criminal gang that specialized in procuring materials for drug manufacturing, with the intent to traffic the final products. They were also convicted of possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

According to state-linked media, the court consulted Egypt's Grand Mufti for his religious opinion, a mandatory step in capital punishment cases under Egyptian law. The death sentences are subject to appeal, meaning the final outcome may not be immediate.

Beyond her media career, Sarah Khalifa also operates a cosmetic surgery clinic and an event production company. The charges detailed by the state-run Akhbar el-Yom newspaper indicate the defendants were involved in manufacturing synthetic drugs by importing necessary materials from overseas.

Authorities reported seizing over 750 kilograms of narcotics and precursor materials as part of the investigation. Two apartments were discovered to have been used as laboratories for drug production. In addition to the death sentences, Khalifa and some of the defendants received a five-year prison sentence in a separate case involving the kidnapping and assault of a young man.

Egypt's legal system permits the death penalty for a range of severe crimes, including premeditated murder, terrorism, certain rape offenses, and drug trafficking. The country has seen a significant number of death sentences issued in recent years.

According to data from the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms, 541 death sentences were issued in Egypt during the year 2025. This case highlights the government's stringent approach to drug-related offenses and organized crime.

Further details regarding the appeal process and the specific evidence presented against Khalifa and the other defendants are expected to emerge as the legal proceedings continue. The case has drawn attention due to the high-profile status of one of the convicted individuals.