The Dark Side of Fame: Menna Shalabi’s Arrest and Imprisonment for Drug Smuggling

By Amelia Brown On Jan 20, 2023

Egyptian actress Menna Shalabi was sentenced to jail for drug smuggling in November 2022. Shalabi was arrested at the Cairo International Airport for possession of illegal drugs, as per local media reports. Possession of cannabis is illegal and punishable by the laws of Egypt.

The North Cairo Criminal Court has issued its verdict and sentenced Shalabi to be imprisoned for a year, with a suspended sentence and an EGP 10,000 fine in a case related to obtaining hashish with the intention of using it.

The decision was issued under the chairmanship of counselor Sorour Muhammad Ahmed, with the membership of counselors Al-Saeed Ahmed Abdo and Muhammad Mustafa.

Egyptian Public Prosecution had formerly released an official announcement regarding the release of Shalabi on bail for EGP50,000 ($2,035). The materials in her possession were sent to the Forensic Authority for examination, the announcement said.

Local media earlier reported that judicial sources said that the majority of drug cases do not require detention unless the case is related to another crime. It was also reported that the Public Prosecution decided not to conduct a drug analysis as Shalabi was coming from a foreign country that allows the use of narcotics.

The General Administration for Drug Control also released information stating that the findings of the investigation suggests that Shalabi had purchased the drugs with the intention of using them, according to Egyptian media reports. Shalabi denied the allegations.

According to Law no. 182 of 1960, Egypt imposes tough penalties on drug trafficking with life imprisonment or the death penalty, if the defendant is found guilty bringing narcotics into the country. The bill also stipulates at least one year prison and a maximum fine of $566 (minimum not less than $57).

Menna Shalabi is a well-known Egyptian actress, who has appeared in several films and television shows. She was the first Arab to be nominated for an International Emmy. Her first film was Al-saher (2001), directed by the late Radwan El-Kashef. This case is a high-profile one and has drawn attention from the media and the public. It is important to note that possession of drugs is a serious crime in Egypt and carries severe penalties.