Ghana is seeking the extradition of a Russian national accused of secretly filming sexual encounters with women from Ghana and Kenya and posting the footage online without their consent, authorities said Monday.
The suspect, a self-styled “pick-up artist” and blogger in his 30s, is alleged to have used hidden cameras — reportedly concealed in sunglasses — during his visit to Ghana, according to local media reports.
Communications Minister Sam George confirmed the government had launched a formal probe and was pursuing international cooperation to bring the man to justice. “That gentleman will be looked for. We will activate every resource in our disposal working with Interpol,” he told reporters.
George said he had summoned the Russian ambassador in Accra to a meeting to demand Moscow’s assistance. “The actions of the Russian citizen flout our cyber-security laws. I will officially indicate to the ambassador our official position,” he added.
Under Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act 2020, the non-consensual publication of explicit images can carry a prison term of up to 25 years.
The minister stressed that the suspect’s possible departure from the country would not deter the pursuit. “We will request the Russian authorities… 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 said.
The case has drawn parallels to a 2022 conviction in Ghana, where a local man was jailed for 14 years for similar offences of sexual extortion and sharing intimate images without consent.
The Russian embassy in Accra had not responded to requests for comment at the time of going to press.
