Egyptian TV Presenter Sarah Khalifa Sentenced to Death

Khalifa, who is known for hosting the television program Mission Impossible, was convicted of helping establish an organised criminal network involved in obtaining materials for the production of synthetic drugs with the intention of trafficking them.

The Cairo court also found the defendants guilty of possessing and carrying firearms and ammunition without the required licences. Under Egyptian law, capital punishment verdicts must first be referred to the Grand Mufti for a religious opinion. The ruling can still be challenged through the appeals process.

According to reports by Al-Ahram and Akhbar Al-Youm, authorities seized more than 750 kilograms of narcotics and drug-manufacturing materials during the investigation. Officials also discovered two apartments allegedly being used as laboratories, along with unlicensed weapons and ammunition.

Prosecutors accused the group of importing materials from abroad to manufacture synthetic narcotics for distribution. Khalifa is also reported to own a plastic surgery clinic and a production company involved in organising parties and events.

In a separate case, the court handed Khalifa and several other defendants five-year prison terms over allegations involving the kidnapping and assault of a young man.

Egypt retains the death penalty for a range of serious offences, including premeditated murder, terrorism, certain rape crimes and drug trafficking. The Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms reported that 541 death sentences were handed down in the country during 2025.