Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 other individuals have received death sentences after being convicted of drug-related charges. The verdict, which can be appealed, was initially announced last month and confirmed this week after a legal review.
According to state-owned al-Akhram newspaper, Khalifa and the co-defendants were part of a criminal group involved in importing raw materials for illicit drug production and distribution. Authorities also found illegal firearms and munitions in their possession.
Khalifa, 39, known for her TV program "Mission Impossible" which focused on crime, has denied the charges against her. During a court appearance last September, she reportedly stated that she had never seen any drugs until she was photographed with them at the anti-narcotics authority offices.
The court heard that over 750 kilograms (1,653 pounds) of narcotics and related precursor materials were seized during the investigation. Prosecutors presented statements from 20 witnesses, alongside electronic evidence including recorded conversations and video clips.
Amnesty International reported that in the year prior, 492 death sentences were issued in Egypt, with 23 executions carried out. The organization noted that the crimes for which these defendants were convicted, such as drug trafficking and rape, do not constitute intentional homicide, a threshold typically required for the application of the death penalty under international law and standards.