Egyptian TV Presenter Among 12 Sentenced to Death in Drugs Case

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

According to state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram, the defendants were members of a criminal gang accused of importing raw materials used to manufacture drugs for sale.

The group was also accused of possessing illegal firearms and ammunition.

Khalifa, 39, is best known for presenting Mission Impossible, a television programme focused on crime-related issues. She has denied the charges.

Nine other defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment, while seven were acquitted.

Khalifa’s lawyer said she would appeal the death sentence.

The verdict was initially announced last month but could not be formally confirmed until the court received a religious opinion from Egypt’s Grand Mufti, a legal requirement in cases involving the death penalty.

During the trial, prosecutors said authorities had seized more than 750kg (1,653lb) of narcotics, along with imported materials allegedly intended for drug production.

Twenty witnesses provided statements to prosecutors, while electronic evidence including conversations and video footage was also presented to the court, Al-Ahram reported.

According to state-run newspaper Akhbar Al-Youm, Khalifa was questioned by a judge about her alleged involvement during a court hearing last September.

She reportedly said she had never seen drugs before being photographed with them inside the offices of Egypt’s anti-narcotics authority.

Khalifa has maintained her innocence throughout the case.