An Egyptian television presenter has been condemned to death by hanging following her conviction for drug trafficking.
Sarah Khalifa, 39, along with 11 others, received the sentence after prosecutors accused them of leading a criminal gang and manufacturing narcotics.
The familiar presenter, known for her appearances on the Egyptian crime programme Mission Impossible, received the “death by hanging” verdict at a Cairo court on Saturday.
Khalifa, who commands 2.5 million Instagram followers, and the 11 co-defendants stood trial on charges of producing narcotics and holding firearms.
Egyptian authorities claim they confiscated over 750kg of narcotics and raw materials during the operation.
Investigators also reported uncovering two apartments functioning as drug laboratories, alongside unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Khalifa and her co-accused received the guilty verdict following consultation with the Grand Mufti of Egypt.
Egyptian law mandates his religious opinion in cases involving capital punishment.
The defendants retain the right to challenge the ruling through an appeal.
In a separate case, Khalifa received a five-year prison sentence alongside others for the kidnapping and assault of a young man.
When the judge questioned her about her alleged involvement in the group, Khalifa told him she had never encountered drugs until authorities photographed her with them at a police station, state media reported.
Egypt restricts the death penalty to premeditated murder, terrorism, certain rape offences, and drug trafficking.
The Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms reports that 541 people received death sentences in the North African nation last year.
Leave a Reply