Sarah Khalifa news
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The gist
Egyptian TV presenter Sarah Khalifa, 39, was sentenced to death by hanging with 11 others for.
The verdict can be appealed, and she has denied the charges.
Background
Sarah Khalifa is a well-known Egyptian TV presenter, famous for her program 'Mission Impossible' which dealt with crime issues. She was arrested in Cairo in April 2025 as part of a major drug case involving 28 defendants. The court sentenced 12 to death, nine to life, and acquitted seven. The case involved manufacturing and trafficking synthetic drugs, with materials allegedly smuggled in cosmetics containers.
How it unfolded
- Apr 2025Sarah Khalifa was arrested in Cairo in connection with a drug trafficking case.
- Sep 2025During a court appearance, Khalifa denied seeing drugs until photographed with them at anti-narcotics offices.
- Aug 2026The verdict was first announced last month, according to BBC.
- Sep 5, 2026Cairo Criminal Court sentenced Khalifa and 11 others to death by hanging, consulting the Grand Mufti as required.
- Sep 6, 2026State media reported the death sentences; Khalifa wept and asked for 'mercy and humanity' in a video.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Egyptian court found Khalifa guilty of forming an organized gang to manufacture and traffic drugs, with illegal firearms.
- Defense
- Khalifa denied charges, saying 'I don't need drug money' and claimed she never saw drugs until photographed at anti-narcotics office.
Still unverified
A video circulating on social media appears to show Khalifa weeping during sentencing, but CNN could not independently verify it.