Sarah Khalifa's Death Sentence Wasn't Her Only Court Shock , TV Star Also Convicted in Separate Assault Case

Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa suffered another major legal blow on the same day she was sentenced to death in a sprawling drug trafficking case, when a Cairo court also sentenced her to three years in prison in a separate case involving the assault and filming of a young man.

Khalifa, 39, was sentenced to death by hanging alongside 11 other defendants after being convicted in a case involving the manufacture and trafficking of synthetic drugs. But the separate verdict means the television personality is now facing another prison sentence on top of the capital punishment ruling.

According to reports based on Egyptian state media and AFP, Khalifa and other defendants received a separate prison sentence connected to the kidnapping and assault of a young man. Channels Television reported that the sentence was five years, while Al Jazeera reported a three-year sentence, reflecting differences in early reports of the verdict.

Second Case Adds To Khalifa's Legal Troubles

The separate case concerns allegations that Khalifa and others kidnapped and assaulted a young man and filmed the incident.

The development adds another layer to a case that has already attracted international attention because of Khalifa's profile as a television presenter. She is best known for hosting "Mission Impossible," a program focused on crime and security, before becoming the subject of a criminal case herself.

Khalifa has denied the drug charges and maintained her innocence. During the proceedings, she reportedly told investigators that she had never used drugs and disputed the prosecution's allegations about her involvement in the trafficking operation.

The death sentence was issued after the court consulted Egypt's Grand Mufti, whose opinion is required in capital cases but is not binding. The ruling can be appealed, and Khalifa's lawyer has indicated that she intends to challenge the death sentence.

750kg Of Narcotics Seized

The main case involved 28 defendants and allegations of an organised criminal network involved in obtaining materials used to manufacture synthetic drugs.

According to state-linked Egyptian media reports cited by Al Jazeera and other outlets, authorities seized more than 750kg of narcotics and raw materials during the investigation. Investigators also discovered two residential apartments allegedly being used as laboratories, while firearms and ammunition were seized.

Prosecutors alleged that members of the network had divided responsibilities between obtaining raw materials, manufacturing narcotics and distributing them.

Khalifa was arrested in April 2025 as investigators pursued the alleged operation. She was accused of being involved in the criminal network but has repeatedly denied the allegations.

What Happens To Sarah Khalifa Now?

The death sentence does not mean Khalifa is about to be executed.

The ruling remains subject to appeal, with defendants able to challenge the verdict through Egypt's legal system. The court's consultation with the Grand Mufti formed part of the process required before the capital punishment ruling was formally issued.

The wider verdict saw nine other defendants sentenced to life imprisonment, while seven people were acquitted. Two alleged participants in the criminal network remain at large, according to reports.

For Khalifa, however, the separate three-year assault conviction makes the latest court appearance even more significant. The television presenter now faces the consequences of two separate criminal cases, although the death sentence in the drug case remains open to appeal.