Egyptian TV presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 others sentenced to death in drugs case
An Egyptian court sentenced TV presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 co-defendants to death by hanging on charges related to drug manufacturing and trafficking.
4 reports on this incident · first at Sep 5, 2026, 1:46 p.m. ET
This case is not concluded. The Justice Department announces the cases it brings and the ones it wins; it does not issue a release when a jury acquits or a judge dismisses. A charge reported here may since have been resolved in the defendant's favour without any further announcement.
We last searched for new coverage of this at Sep 5, 2026, 2:09 p.m. ET — checked 7h ago.
Earlier reports
Sep 5, 2026, 5:22 p.m. ET
Egyptian TV presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 others sentenced to death in drugs case
An Egyptian court has sentenced TV presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 other defendants to death by hanging, according to reports from the Daily Mail and the South China Morning Post. The sentencing was announced on 5 September 2026.
The charges on which the defendants were convicted are reported differently by the two outlets. The South China Morning Post reports that the government claimed Khalifa and the 11 others formed an organised criminal gang specialising in procuring materials used in manufacturing narcotics, with the intent to traffic them, and possessing and carrying unlicensed firearms and ammunition. The Daily Mail, however, reports that the government claimed they formed an organised criminal gang specialised in producing materials used in manufacturing narcotics, with the intent to traffic them, and possessing and carrying unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Both outlets also report charges of manufacturing synthetic drugs with the intent to traffic them, by importing the materials used in manufacturing from abroad.
The cause of the sentencing has not been determined, and the reports do not specify the date of the alleged offences or the court that issued the sentence.
Sep 5, 2026, 5:11 p.m. ET
Egyptian TV presenter and 11 others sentenced to death in drugs case
An Egyptian court has sentenced TV presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 other defendants to death by hanging, according to reports from the Daily Mail and the South China Morning Post. The sentencing was announced on September 5, 2026.
The charges against the group include forming an organised criminal gang and manufacturing synthetic drugs with the intent to traffic them, as well as possessing and carrying unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Reports differ on the exact wording of the gang-related charge: the South China Morning Post reports the government claimed the gang specialised in procuring materials used in manufacturing narcotics, while the Daily Mail reports the government claimed the gang specialised in producing such materials.
The cause of the case has not been determined, and the defendants are presumed innocent until any appeal is resolved.
Sep 5, 2026, 1:46 p.m. ETFirst report
Egypt Sentences TV Presenter and 11 Others to Death in Drugs Case
An Egyptian court has sentenced TV presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 other defendants to death by hanging, according to a report by the South China Morning Post on September 5, 2026. The sentences were handed down in a case in which the government alleged the defendants formed an organised criminal gang specialising in procuring materials used in manufacturing narcotics, with the intent to traffic them, and possessing and carrying unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The proceeding has reached the sentencing stage, with the death penalty imposed. The report did not specify the date of the sentencing hearing or provide further details on the charges or the defendants' legal status.
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- Version 15 Sept 2026, 21:22current
First published.
- Version 15 Sept 2026, 17:46current
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- Version 15 Sept 2026, 21:31current
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- Version 15 Sept 2026, 21:11current
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