Egypt confirms death sentence for TV presenter Sarah Khalifa; she protests innocence

Khalifa, best known for her programme Mission Impossible, which dealt with security and crime issues, was found guilty of being part of an organised criminal gang that imported materials used to make drugs with the intent to traffic them. State media reported the defendants also possessed unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Authorities said they seized more than 750 kg of narcotics and raw materials, found two apartments used as laboratories, and gathered statements from 20 witnesses along with electronic evidence.

The verdict, first announced last month, was confirmed after the court obtained a religious opinion from Egypt's grand mufti — a legal requirement in death penalty cases. The sentence is subject to appeal.

In a separate case, Khalifa and others received five-year prison sentences for the kidnapping and assault of a young man.

Human rights groups have highlighted Egypt's extensive use of capital punishment. Amnesty International recorded 492 death sentences in Egypt in 2025, 23 of them carried out, while the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms put the number at 541. Amnesty has argued that crimes such as drug trafficking and rape do not amount to "intentional killing" and should not carry the death penalty under international standards. Egypt applies capital punishment for premeditated murder, terrorism, some rape offences and drug trafficking.

Why This Matters

The confirmation of the death sentence puts a high-profile media personality at the centre of Egypt's use of capital punishment for drug offences, inviting renewed scrutiny from rights groups.
The case illustrates Egypt's application of the death penalty beyond homicide, a practice Amnesty International says is inconsistent with international law.
Given Khalifa's public platform — she has 2.5 million followers on Instagram — the case is likely to attract sustained domestic and international attention.

Background

In Egypt, drug trafficking is among the crimes that can carry the death penalty, along with premeditated murder, terrorism and some rape offences. Courts must refer capital cases to the grand mufti for a religious opinion before sentencing; the opinion is a procedural step required by Egyptian law. Rights organisations have repeatedly documented heavy use of capital sentencing in Egypt, with hundreds of death sentences issued each year and relatively few executions carried out.

Key Perspectives

Egyptian authorities: State media framed the case as a sprawling narcotics operation, with evidence including more than 750 kg of seized drugs, two laboratory apartments, unlicensed weapons, witness testimony and electronic records. The court completed the mufti consultation required for capital cases and left the door open for appeal.

Sarah Khalifa and co-defendants: Khalifa maintains her innocence, saying she had never seen drugs before being photographed with them at the anti-narcotics authority, and has publicly sworn on X that she is innocent. Defence lawyers can appeal the verdict.

Rights groups: Amnesty International and the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms point to hundreds of death sentences issued in Egypt in 2025. Amnesty says drug trafficking and rape offences do not amount to the "intentional killing" threshold required by international law, and has called for restrictions on capital punishment.

What to Watch

Whether an appeal is filed and whether the court suspends or overturns the sentence.
How Egyptian and international media, governments and human rights organisations respond to the confirmation.
The separate five-year sentence against Khalifa and others for kidnapping and assault, and whether it features in appeals or broader reporting on the case.

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