TV host among 12 sentenced to death in drugs case in Egypt

A court in Egypt has sentenced television host Sarah Khalifa and 11 other people to death in a drugs case, according to state media.

Khalifa, 39, was convicted of being part of a criminal gang accused of bringing drug-making materials into Egypt for production and sale. The group was also accused of possessing illegal weapons and ammunition.

Khalifa, who is known for hosting the crime-focused television programme Mission Impossible, has denied the allegations. Her lawyer said she would challenge the death sentence through an appeal.

Nine other accused were handed life sentences, while seven were acquitted, according to Egypt’s Al-Ahram newspaper.

The death verdict had initially been announced last month but was formally confirmed after the court received an opinion from Egypt’s Grand Mufti, a required step in death penalty cases.

During the proceedings, prosecutors presented evidence that authorities had seized more than 750kg of narcotics along with raw materials allegedly imported to manufacture drugs.

The case also involved testimony from 20 witnesses as well as electronic evidence, including recorded conversations and video footage, Al-Ahram reported.

Khalifa was questioned about the allegations during a court hearing in September last year. According to state-run Akhbar al-Youm, she told the judge that she had never seen drugs before being photographed with them at the offices of the anti-narcotics authority.

The court found Khalifa and the other accused guilty despite her denial of the charges.