Ghana has summoned Russia’s ambassador in Accra to protest over the alleged actions of a supposed Russian national accused of publishing sexually explicit images of Ghanaian women without their consent.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Ambassador Sergei Berdnikov was called in on the instructions of the Foreign Affairs Minister to address what it described as unlawful conduct.
The ministry said the objective of the summons was to formally express the government’s “strong displeasure” at the alleged actions, which it said violate Ghanaian law, and to seek the co-operation of the Russian authorities in pursuing justice.
According to the statement, the ambassador acknowledged the violation of the privacy and dignity of the victims, as well as the broader cybercrime implications of the case. He also expressed Russia’s willingness to co-operate with Ghana on the matter.
However, Mr Berdnikov indicated that he was unable to confirm the Russian nationality of the individual at the centre of the viral intimate videos. He further stated that the name circulating in the media was not a known Russian name and appeared to be an inappropriate or vulgar expression in the Russian language.
The ambassador also noted that similar alleged activities by the individual in other countries had come to the attention of Russian authorities and were being investigated by experts.
The ministry said the Russian embassy in Accra had pledged to share information to support Ghana’s ongoing efforts to apprehend the suspect and bring him to justice. It added that this co-operation would take place within the framework of longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries, despite the absence of a legally binding extradition treaty.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry said it remained committed to exploring all available international mechanisms and maintaining diplomatic engagement to ensure that justice is served.
