Ghana wants extradition of Russian over alleged secret filming of women
By Jeffrey Agbo
Ghanaian authorities are preparing to seek the extradition of a Russian national accused of covertly recording sexual encounters with women and uploading the footage online without their consent.
The man, identified by African and Russian media as a self-proclaimed “pick-up artist” and blogger in his 30s, is alleged to have travelled to Ghana to secretly film women he interacted with. Some reports claim he used sunglasses equipped with a hidden camera, although officials have not confirmed how the recordings were made.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday, Ghana’s Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, said he had invited the Russian ambassador to Ghana for talks on the case.
Earlier, Ghana’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection said preliminary findings indicated the suspect may have already left the country. The ministry, however, emphasised that this development did “not reduce the seriousness of the alleged conduct or the state’s responsibility to pursue accountability”.
George said he had formally requested the Russian ambassador in Accra to relay Ghana’s demand for cooperation from Moscow in ensuring justice for the affected women, even as he acknowledged that Russia seldom extradites its citizens except under exceptional conditions.
The minister told BBC News: “I have invited the Russian ambassador in Ghana for a meeting.
“The actions of the Russian citizen flout our cyber-security laws. I will officially indicate to the ambassador our official position.”
He also told reporters: “That gentleman will be looked for, we will activate every resource in our disposal working with Interpol.
“We will request the Russian authorities – and that is why I have invited the Russian ambassador – to work with our law enforcement.
“We want the gentleman to be brought back to Ghana, extradited to Ghana for him to face the rigours of our law.”
George added that Ghana could proceed to try the suspect in absentia if he fails to return to the country.
Local media reports indicate the same individual may have previously been linked to similar alleged offences in Kenya.
Under Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act 2020, the non-consensual publication of explicit images or videos of adults or children carries penalties of up to 25 years’ imprisonment.
