Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa plans to appeal her death sentence after a Cairo court convicted her and 11 other defendants in a major synthetic-drug trafficking case. Her lawyer says procedural errors during the trial provide grounds to challenge the verdict.
The court handed down the sentences on Saturday, September 5. Reporting reviewed through September 8 confirms the defense’s intention to appeal, but does not establish that an appeals court has issued a subsequent ruling.
Khalifa has denied involvement in the drug network.
What Did the Court Decide?
The case involved 28 defendants. Twelve received death sentences, nine were sentenced to life imprisonment and seven were acquitted, according to reporting by Anadolu and Egyptian news organizations.
Khalifa’s brother, Mohamed, was among those sentenced to death. The defendants receiving capital sentences were also fined 500,000 Egyptian pounds.
The convictions concerned an organized network involved in importing materials used to manufacture synthetic narcotics for trafficking. Reporting on the verdict also described offenses involving unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Defense Plans to Challenge the Death Sentence
Khalifa’s lawyer, Mohamed El Gendy, said the defense would challenge the conviction over what he described as procedural legal errors during the trial.
In comments published by Egyptian newspaper Youm7 on September 5, El Gendy expressed confidence that the judgment would be overturned on appeal. The National subsequently reported the defense’s plans in coverage updated September 8.
The lawyer’s prediction does not change the current verdict. Whether the defense’s arguments will succeed remains a matter for the courts.
No execution date or completed appeal ruling was established in the reporting reviewed for this article. An announced intention to appeal also should not be confused with a confirmed court filing.
What Prosecutors Alleged About the Drug Network
Prosecutors described an operation that obtained materials from abroad, manufactured synthetic narcotics inside Egypt and distributed the finished product. They alleged that Khalifa helped finance and coordinate the network, including communication between participants inside and outside the country.
According to Euronews’ Arabic reporting, the prosecution relied on witness testimony and digital evidence, including messages, photographs and videos. Investigators also attributed handwritten financial records to Khalifa.
These accounts describe the prosecution’s evidence as reported by news organizations. The complete judgment and underlying case materials were not independently available for this report.
ABC News Australia, carrying AFP reporting, said authorities seized more than 750 kilograms—approximately 1,650 pounds—of narcotics and raw materials. Investigators reportedly identified two apartments used as laboratories and recovered unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The reported seizure weight includes raw materials, so it should not be read as a verified total of finished drugs alone.
Who Is Sarah Khalifa?
Khalifa, described in international reporting as 39, is known for presenting Mission Impossible, an Egyptian television program covering crime and security. She also has business interests in cosmetic services and event production.
Her television career has helped draw international attention to the case. Egyptian reporting dates her arrest to April 2025.
Why Some Earlier Reports Mentioned 13 Defendants
The different figures refer to different stages of the proceedings.
On August 4, the court referred Khalifa and 12 other defendants to Egypt’s Grand Mufti before sentencing, according to Al-Ahram’s Arabic coverage. That referral involved 13 people. The September 5 judgment imposed death sentences on 12.
Consultation with the Grand Mufti forms part of Egypt’s procedure in capital cases. His opinion is advisory and does not replace the judicial appeals process.
What Happens Next?
The defense says it will pursue an appeal. Euronews reported that a higher criminal court could reconsider the evidence and sentences, with a possible later challenge before Egypt’s Court of Cassation.
As of the reporting reviewed September 8, Khalifa remained under a death sentence, and her defense intended to contest it. The outcome of that challenge had not been determined.
