Egypt: Grand Mufti Confirms Sarah Khalifa Drug Death Sentence

• Egyptian TV presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 others were sentenced to death by hanging for drug trafficking and other charges.
• The defendants were accused of being part of a criminal gang importing drug manufacturing ingredients and possessing illegal firearms.
• Khalifa, 39, known for hosting a crime show, denies the charges, and her death sentence is currently under appeal and not yet final.
• The death sentences were formally confirmed after obtaining a legally required religious opinion from Egypt's Grand Mufti.
• The case highlights Egypt's continued use of the death penalty, with Amnesty International reporting 492 death sentences and 23 executions in 2025, some for drug trafficking.

The formal confirmation of the death sentences, including that of Sarah Khalifa, occurred after a crucial procedural step: obtaining a religious opinion from Egypt's Grand Mufti.

Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa, 39, along with eleven other individuals, has received a death sentence by hanging following convictions for drug trafficking and additional charges. The defendants were identified as members of a criminal organization accused of importing raw materials used in the manufacture of illicit drugs for distribution. Beyond narcotics offenses, the group was also found guilty of possessing illegal firearms and ammunition.

Khalifa, widely recognized for hosting the crime-focused program "Mission Impossible," has consistently denied the accusations leveled against her. While she and eleven others face capital punishment, the court also handed down life imprisonment sentences to nine other defendants involved in the case, and seven individuals were acquitted. Khalifa's death sentence is currently under appeal, a common step in such severe cases, and is not yet a final, enforceable judgment.

Evidence presented during the trial included the seizure of over 750 kilograms of narcotics and imported raw materials, which authorities alleged were destined for drug production. Prosecutors relied on statements from 20 witnesses, alongside electronic evidence such as recorded conversations and video clips. According to reports from the state-run Akhbar al-Youm newspaper, Khalifa testified in court last September, stating that she had never encountered drugs until she was photographed with them at the offices of the anti-narcotics authority.

The formal confirmation of the death sentences, including that of Sarah Khalifa, occurred after a crucial procedural step: obtaining a religious opinion from Egypt's Grand Mufti. This consultation is a mandatory legal requirement in all cases involving the death penalty within the Egyptian judicial system. While the verdict was initially announced last month, its official finalization hinged on the Grand Mufti's review and opinion.

This requirement underscores the unique intersection of religious and secular law in Egypt's capital punishment framework. The Grand Mufti's opinion, while not binding on the court, is a necessary component for the legal validity of a death sentence. The process highlights the stringent legal protocols surrounding the death penalty in Egypt, particularly for serious offenses like drug trafficking.

The high-profile conviction of Sarah Khalifa and her co-defendants serves as a stark reminder of Egypt's continued and extensive use of the death penalty, particularly for drug offenses. Data from Amnesty International's 2025 report indicates a significant number of capital sentences in the country, recording 492 death sentences during that year, with 23 executions carried out.

International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have voiced concerns regarding the application of the death penalty in Egypt. The organization specifically noted that some individuals sentenced to death were convicted of crimes such as drug trafficking and rape. Amnesty International argues that these offenses do not constitute intentional killing, which, under international law and standards, is the only category of crime to which the death penalty should be restricted. This case, therefore, not only highlights the severe penalties for drug offenses in Egypt but also draws attention to the broader debate surrounding capital punishment practices.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the severe penalties, including the death penalty, for drug trafficking offenses in Egypt. Lawyers advising clients on criminal matters in Egypt, particularly those involving narcotics, must be acutely aware of the strict enforcement and the procedural requirement of the Grand Mufti's opinion in capital cases, as well as the potential for high-profile convictions.

Source: Original reporting via Al-Ahram and Akhbar al-Youm