Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa has been handed a death sentence for her alleged involvement in a major drug trafficking operation.
Khalifa, who boasts 2.6 million Instagram followers, rejected any awareness of narcotics-related activity, Ahram Online reported. Her lawyer confirmed to the BBC that she intends to appeal the verdict.
The court ruled death by hanging, coupled with a 500,000 Egyptian pound fine (roughly $9,800), according to the state-run outlet Al-Ahram Gate.
“The death sentences were issued after consultation with the Grand Mufti, a mandatory but non-binding procedure in capital cases,” Ahram Online stated. “The ruling remains appealable and is therefore not final.”
Eleven additional defendants were also sentenced to death, per Ahram Online. Another nine received life imprisonment, while seven were cleared of all charges. A total of 28 individuals faced prosecution.
Khalifa was taken into custody in Cairo in April 2025. Prosecutors claimed she helped coordinate a group “specializing in importing raw materials used in the manufacture of synthetic narcotics, to produce and traffic the drugs, as well as possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition.”
She allegedly functioned as the “principal financier and liaison between members inside and outside Egypt,” prosecutors argued, building their case on statements from 20 witnesses along with digital evidence including messages, videos and photos.
The 39-year-old reportedly operated a beauty clinic and an event planning business in Egypt, and previously hosted a local TV program called Mission Impossible that dealt with crime and other topics.
“I have never smoked a cigarette in my life,” Khalifa shouted during her Sept. 5 sentencing hearing at Cairo Criminal Court, in video footage circulating online. “I swear to Almighty God, with the strongest oath, that I have been wronged.”
Khalifa’s legal team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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