Ghana says it intends to seek the extradition of a Russian national accused of secretly recording sexual encounters with several women and sharing the footage online without their consent.
African and Russian media have identified the suspect as a self-styled “pick-up artist” and blogger in his 30s who travelled to Ghana and allegedly filmed his interactions with women. Some reports claim he used sunglasses fitted with a hidden camera, although officials have not confirmed that detail.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday, Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam George, said he had summoned the Russian ambassador in Accra to discuss the matter.
Earlier, Ghana’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection indicated that preliminary investigations suggested the suspect had likely left the country. The ministry stressed that his departure “does not reduce the seriousness of the alleged conduct or the state’s responsibility to pursue accountability”.
Sam George told reporters that Ghana would mobilise all available legal and diplomatic channels, including cooperation with Interpol, to locate the suspect. He said the government would formally communicate its position to Russia and request collaboration from Russian authorities.
However, Russia rarely extradites its citizens, except under exceptional circumstances. The minister stated that if the suspect failed to return, Ghana could consider trying him in absentia.
Local media have reported that the same individual may have been linked to similar incidents in Kenya, though this has not been officially confirmed.
Under Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act 2020, publishing intimate images of adults or children without full consent carries a penalty of up to 25 years in prison. In recent years, Ghanaian authorities have intensified efforts to combat online abuse, including sexual extortion and the non-consensual distribution of explicit content.
In 2022, a Ghanaian court sentenced a 22-year-old phone repairer, Solomon Doga, to 14 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to sexual extortion and sharing nude images without consent.
Officials say the current case underscores the government’s commitment to enforcing digital safety laws and protecting victims of online exploitation.
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