Egyptian TV presenter sentenced to death over alleged drug production

An Egyptian court has sentenced television presenter and beauty entrepreneur Sarah Khalifa to death for producing and selling synthetic drugs. Eleven other defendants were also convicted in the case, which centered on an alleged criminal organization formed to manufacture drugs and put them into circulation.

The court sentenced nine additional defendants to life in prison. Khalifa, who worked for several Egyptian television stations, was arrested in April last year. She became known in part for a program about crime and also founded a cosmetic surgery center, which she promoted to her 2.5 million Instagram followers.

Twenty witnesses testified during the trial, while investigators examined messages, photographs and videos. Prosecutors said authorities seized more than 750 kilograms of drugs.

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I swear by God that none of this ever happened.

Khalifa rejected the accusations. “I swear by God that none of this ever happened,” she told Egyptian media, according to reports. She also said she had “never seen drugs before” until investigators photographed her with them during the inquiry.

Two defendants remain free and have been barred from leaving the country, according to prosecutors. Khalifa and the other people convicted can still appeal. Egypt imposes severe penalties for drug offenses, including long prison terms and the death penalty, which is carried out by hanging. Amnesty International said Egypt carried out 23 executions last year.

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never seen drugs before