An Egyptian court has sentenced 11 people to death in a drugs-related case, state and international media reported. One of those given the sentence is television presenter Sarah Khalifa, best known for hosting the programme Mission Impossible, which examined crime issues.
Khalifa, who built a public profile through the show, was named among the defendants in the case. Her programme focused on investigative coverage of criminal matters and attracted a broad audience, providing her with a high public profile relative to other accused in the proceedings.
Details released by reporting outlets on the specific allegations, the evidence presented at trial or the individual roles of the defendants were limited. It was not immediately clear from available reports whether the sentences are final, whether there will be an appeal, or when any subsequent legal steps might take place.
The imposition of the death penalty for drug-related offences in Egypt is consistent with the country’s strict legal penalties for serious drug crimes. International rights organisations have long criticised the use of capital punishment for drug offences and urged greater transparency and due process in such cases, while Egyptian authorities say they enforce the law to combat organised crime and trafficking.
Further reporting is likely to clarify the legal grounds cited by the court and any responses from the defendants, their lawyers or media organisations connected to them. For now, the sentencing marks a high-profile development in a case that has drawn attention because of the involvement of a well-known television presenter.