An Egyptian television presenter, Sarah Khalifa, has reportedly been sentenced to death by hanging alongside 11 other defendants following their conviction in a major narcotics case involving more than 750 kilogrammes of drugs.
The Cairo Criminal Court convicted the defendants of participating in an organised criminal network accused of obtaining raw materials for the manufacture and trafficking of synthetic drugs.
According to reports attributed to Egypt’s state-linked Al-Ahram, nine other defendants were handed life imprisonment, while seven were acquitted. A total of 28 people were tried in connection with the case.
Khalifa, 39, is known for presenting the security and crime programme Mission Impossible on Al-Mehwar TV. She has also reportedly operated businesses, including a cosmetic surgery clinic and an events company, and built a substantial social media following.
Throughout the investigation, Khalifa denied any involvement in drug-related activities and maintained her innocence.
She reportedly told prosecutors that she had never smoked a cigarette and rejected allegations linking her to the narcotics operation.
Egyptian media reported that Khalifa became emotional during the court proceedings and pleaded for mercy, telling the court that she had been properly raised by her parents and had no reason to become involved in drug trafficking for financial gain.
Prosecutors, however, alleged that members of the group imported materials from abroad for the production of synthetic drugs. The materials were allegedly stored in residential properties, where the narcotics were manufactured before being distributed.
Investigators were also reported to have recovered unlicensed firearms and ammunition during the operation.
The death sentences are expected to undergo the legal review procedures required under Egyptian law before they can become final or be carried out.
