Egyptian TV Star Sarah Khalifa Sentenced to Death in Major Drug Ring Case, Prepares Appeal

Sarah Khalifa, a well-known television presenter in Egypt and social media personality with millions of followers, was sentenced to death by hanging by a Cairo courtroom. She was convicted alongside 11 others for their involvement in a large-scale drug trafficking and manufacturing network. The prominent anchor, who has worked for Egyptian, Saudi and Iraqi channels and managed her own businesses, plans to appeal the verdict through her lawyer, Mohamed El Gendy, citing procedural errors during the trial.

According to state media, the court found the defendants guilty of forming an organized criminal group that imported chemicals, produced synthetic narcotics—specifically a designer drug known as El Bodra and GHB—and trafficked them alongside unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Prosecutors alleged that Khalifa acted as the manager, funder, and dealmaker for the network, using her companies as a financial cover. While nine others received life sentences and seven were acquitted, three men tried in absentia also received the death penalty.

Since her arrest in April 2025, Khalifa has consistently maintained her innocence. During the trial, she broke down in tears, stating she had never smoked a cigarette or had any knowledge of the narcotics prior to her arrest. The severe sentence has sparked widespread public debate and criticism on social media, with many calling for greater transparency regarding the evidence presented against her.

Before her arrest, Khalifa gained prominence hosting the crime show Mission Impossible on the Al-Mehwar channel, produced in cooperation with the Interior Ministry. Her public profile was further elevated by her marriage to footballer Mahmoud Abdel Moneim, also known as Kahraba, in 2016, alongside her entrepreneurial ventures in beauty and event planning.

The death sentence is not yet final. Under Egyptian law, the accused can lodge an appeal before a specialized court and subsequently the Court of Cassation. Human rights organizations continue to monitor capital punishment cases in Egypt, while legal experts and the public await further developments in the appeal process.