Who is Sarah Khalifa? The famous Egyptian presenter sentenced to hang for her involvement in drug trafficking

Sarah Khalifa is a 39-year-old Egyptian television presenter whose career has taken a dramatic turn after she was sentenced to death in a major drug trafficking case.

Khalifa became known to Egyptian audiences through “Mission Impossible,” a television programme focused on security and crime.

She also built a substantial presence away from television, reportedly running a cosmetic surgery clinic and an event planning company. Her social media following has grown to more than two million Instagram users.

A Cairo Criminal Court sentenced Khalifa and 11 other defendants to death by hanging on September 5, 2026, after finding them guilty in a sprawling case involving the manufacture and trafficking of synthetic narcotics.

The case involved 28 defendants in total, with prosecutors alleging that the group had divided responsibilities between importing raw materials, manufacturing drugs and distributing them.

Authorities reportedly seized more than 750 kilograms of narcotics and materials used in their production. Investigators also found two residential apartments that were allegedly being used as laboratories, along with unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

Prosecutors said evidence against the defendants included witness statements as well as technical and digital material, including messages, photographs and videos.

What did Sarah Khalifa say about the allegations?

Khalifa has strongly denied being involved in the alleged criminal operation. During the investigation and court proceedings, she maintained that she was innocent and rejected the accusations against her.

“Please listen to me, sir. My parents raised me well; they are people who pray, and I don’t need drug money,” Khalifa told officials.

Egyptian media reported that she became emotional when the death sentence was announced and appealed to the court to listen to her defence.

She also reportedly told investigators that she’d never smoked a cigarette in her life. In court, she questioned why she would need money from drugs and referred to her parents and their religious upbringing while pleading her case.

Khalifa was arrested in Cairo in April 2025 as authorities investigated the alleged network. Prosecutors have claimed that the organization imported substances from abroad for the production of synthetic drugs and operated from residential premises.

Two other suspects reportedly remain at large and have been placed on travel restrictions and watch lists.

The death sentence isn't necessarily the end of the legal process. Egyptian law requires death sentences to be referred to the country's Grand Mufti for an advisory religious opinion, which the court received before confirming the verdict. The defendants can appeal through the Court of Cassation.

Nine other defendants in the case were sentenced to life imprisonment, while seven were acquitted. Khalifa also received a separate three-year prison sentence in another case concerning the assault and filming of her driver.

Egypt permits the death penalty for serious offences including drug trafficking, terrorism and premeditated murder.