Egyptian TV host, entrepreneur and influencer Sarah Khalifa was sentenced to death by hanging in a Cairo court on Saturday, September 5.
Khalifa, 39, is accused of organizing a drug manufacturing gang, storing raw materials to make drugs, and traveling to London and Paris to meet with other drug gang leaders.
The TV presenter was among 28 people charged with manufacturing and distributing illegal narcotics.
Police found 750 kilos of illegal drugs, raw materials to make pharmaceuticals, firearms and ammunition in raids on properties linked to the gang.
11 other co-defendants, including Khalifa’s brother, Mohamed, were also sentenced to death.
Khalifa is best known for hosting the Egyptian crime show “Mission Impossible.”
She denied the allegations after her sentencing was announced on Saturday. Video shows Khalifa sobbing and pleading for mercy in court.
“Please listen to me, sir. My parents raised me well; they are people who pray, and I don’t need drug money,” she told the court. Watch the video below.
? VIDÉO EXCLUSIVE : les images de Sarah Khalifa au moment du verdict.
?? Une séquence qui fait réagir et suscite une vive émotion en Égypte. https://t.co/ZGstJ8s1kN pic.twitter.com/a0FvrncCmK
— EOW (@EOW44) September 6, 2026
The verdict was issued after the court consulted Egypt’s grand mufti for his religious opinion as required by law in capital cases.
Khalifa also owns a cosmetic surgery clinic and an event planning company.
The glamorous influencer shared videos and photos of her designer clothing, bags and shoes on her Instagram account which boasts 2.6 million followers.
The Cairo Criminal Court also sentenced 9 co-defendants to life in prison and seven others were acquitted and released.
Egyptian capital punishment defendants have 2 chances for appeal before death sentences are carried out.
Khalifa was previously sentenced by the same court to three years in prison for sexually assaulting her driver and recording the crime on her cell phone.