TV presenter who hosted crime show sentenced to death in Egypt drug case

Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 other people have been sentenced to death by hanging after being convicted in a major drug case.

Khalifa, 39, is known for presenting the television programme “Mission Impossible”, which focused on crime and security issues.

According to Egyptian state media, a Cairo court found Khalifa and the other defendants guilty of being part of an organised criminal gang involved in manufacturing and trafficking drugs.

The group was accused of importing materials from abroad to manufacture synthetic drugs for sale.

They were also convicted of possessing and carrying firearms and ammunition without licences.

During the case, authorities said they seized more than 750kg of narcotics and raw materials used to manufacture drugs.

Investigators also discovered two apartments allegedly being used as drug laboratories, as well as unlicensed weapons and ammunition.

The court heard evidence from 20 witnesses. Prosecutors also presented electronic evidence, including conversations and video clips.

Khalifa has denied the accusations against her.

During an earlier court appearance, she reportedly said she had never seen the drugs until she was shown them while inside the anti-narcotics authority offices.

After the sentence was handed down, Khalifa was also reported as shouting:

“I’ve never smoked a cigarette in my life. I swear to God, I’m innocent.”

The death sentence followed consultation with Egypt’s Grand Mufti. Under Egyptian law, courts must seek the Grand Mufti’s religious opinion before confirming a death sentence.

The ruling can still be appealed.

Khalifa also owns a cosmetic surgery clinic and a production company that organises parties and events.

In a separate case, she and some of the other defendants were sentenced to five years in prison over the kidnapping and assault of a young man.

Egypt allows the death penalty for several serious crimes, including premeditated murder, terrorism and drug trafficking.