In brief
Egyptian authorities condemned 12 defendants, including TV presenter Sarah Khalifa, for drug trafficking and illegal weapons. The court confirmed the death sentences after a religious opinion. Seven defendants were acquitted and nine received life sentences. Khalifa’s lawyer will appeal the verdict.
Egypt’s court handed down death by hanging to television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 others after they were convicted of drug trafficking, possession of firearms and other charges.
According to state‑owned Al Ahram, the accused were part of a gang that imported raw materials for drug production with the intent to sell, and authorities seized more than 750 kg of narcotics.
While nine of the 12 defendants received life sentences and seven were acquitted, the death penalty was imposed on Khalifa, 39, who denies the charges and plans to appeal.
The verdict was confirmed after the court obtained a religious opinion from the Grand Mufti, a procedural requirement for capital cases.
Amnesty International’s 2025 report highlighted that 492 death sentences were handed down in the year, of which 23 executions were carried out, raising concerns about the use of the death penalty for drug offences.
