Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 other people have been sentenced to death by hanging after being convicted of drugs charges.<\/p>\n
According to state-owned al-Ahram newspaper, they were part of a criminal gang which imported ingredients used to make drugs with the intent of selling them. <\/p>\n
They also had illegal firearms and munitions.<\/p>\n
Khalifa, 39, is best known for her TV programme Mission Impossible which dealt with crime issues. She has denied the charges.<\/p>\n
The verdict – which can be appealed against – was first announced last month. <\/p>\n
However, it was only confirmed a month later after the court obtained a religious opinion from the grand mufti of Egypt – a legal requirement in death sentence cases.<\/p>\n
During the trial, the court heard that authorities had seized more than 750kg (1,653lbs) of narcotics and the imported raw materials to make them.<\/p>\n
Twenty witnesses had given statements to the prosecutors, al-Ahram said, in addition to electronic evidence that included conversations and video clips.<\/p>\n
According to the state-run Akhbar al-Youm newspaper, when asked by the judge about her alleged role during a court appearance last September, Khalifa said she had never seen any drugs until she was photographed with them inside the anti-narcotics authority offices.<\/p>\n