Egyptian TV host sentenced to death for drug trafficking
A Cairo criminal court sentenced Egyptian television presenter Sara Khalifa and 11 others to death for involvement in a synthetic drug production and distribution network. The case involved over 750 kg of drugs and precursor chemicals seized from two apartments used as labs.
Consensus
- Sara Khalifa, a 39-year-old Egyptian television presenter, was sentenced to death by hanging.
- The death sentence was handed down by a Cairo criminal court on September 5, 2025.
- The verdict was related to a case involving the production and distribution of synthetic drugs.
- More than 750 kilograms of synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals were seized during raids.
- The crime ring operated through two apartments in Cairo, which were used as laboratories.
- The group was involved in the full cycle of drug trafficking: import, production, storage, and distribution.
- Sara Khalifa was accused of financing and coordinating the activities of the group.
- The court also sentenced her to five years in prison for a separate case involving sexual assault and unlawful detention.
- Nine defendants received life sentences, seven were acquitted, and the remaining 11 received death sentences.
- The death penalty decision is appealable through the Egyptian judicial system.
- The court obtained a recommendation from the Grand Mufti of Egypt, which is required in capital cases but is non-binding.
- Khalifa was arrested in April 2025.
Points of divergence
- The court found Khalifa guilty of sexual assault on her personal driver, including video recording of the incident, and sentenced her to three years of corrective labor. — vesti
- Khalifa was sentenced to five years in prison in a separate case for unlawful detention and assault on a young man. — riamo
- Nine defendants received life sentences and fines of 100,000 Egyptian pounds (approx. 170,000 rubles). — vm
- The court sentenced Khalifa and others to five years in prison for the separate case of assault and kidnapping. — kommerant
- The prosecution alleged that Khalifa traveled abroad to meet co-conspirators to coordinate drug procurement and import. — vesti
- The group included Iraqi and Egyptian nationals as leaders. — riamo
- The drug lab was discovered in a luxury district of Cairo, disguised as a private apartment. — tg_tass_agency
Coverage (7 sources)
- In Cairo, TV host Sara Khalifa sentenced to death for drugs — Вести
- Egyptian 39-year-old TV host Sara Khalifa sentenced to death — РИАМО
- Former TV host sentenced to death for drugs case in Egypt. Another 11 people received death sentences... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- ET: Egypt Court Sentenced Famous TV Host to Death for Drugs — Вечерняя Москва
- In Egypt, a TV host was sentenced to death for drug distribution — Коммерсантъ
- In Egypt, TV host sentenced to death for drug crimes — Вести
- Court in Egypt sentenced TV host to death penalty on drug case — Москва 24
Key entities
- Egypt
- Cairo
- Al-Akhram
- Moscow
- Russia
- Meta
- Photo
- Criminal Court
- Al-Ahram
- Court of Cassation
- StarHit
- Masrawy
- New Cairo
- Khalifa
- Sary Khalifa Sud