Why is Sarah Khalifa Facing Death Sentence By Hanging Over Drug Crimes?
Sarah Khalifa and 11 others face death sentences by hanging in Egypt after a major drug case. Find out what they were convicted of and what happens next.
Popular Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 other defendants have been sentenced to death by hanging after a Cairo Criminal Court convicted them in a big drug case. The 39-year-old TV presenter was convicted of involvement in an organised criminal group accused of manufacturing and trafficking synthetic drugs.
According to the prosecution’s case, the group allegedly imported materials used to manufacture synthetic narcotics before producing the drugs for distribution. Investigators reportedly seized over 750kg of narcotics and related materials, while two residential apartments were allegedly converted into laboratories for the operation. The defendants were also convicted of possessing firearms and ammunition without licences.
Why Was Sarah Khalifa Sentenced to Death By Hanging?
Investigators alleged that Khalifa finance and also helped coordinate the drug operation, although she has denied involvement and maintained her innocence. The court, however, sentenced her and the other 11 defendants to death after finding them guilty, while the wider case involved 28 defendants in total.
The remaining defendants received different verdicts, with 9 sentenced to life imprisonment and 7 acquitted. Before the death sentences were issued, the court referred the case to Egypt’s Grand Mufti for an opinion, a required step in capital cases, although the Mufti’s opinion is advisory rather than binding.
The death sentences are not final, as Khalifa and the other convicted defendants have the right to appeal before Egypt’s Court of Cassation. Khalifa has continued to deny the all allegations, meaning the legal battle could continue despite the Cairo court’s latest verdict.
