ACCRA, Ghana — Authorities in Ghana are pursuing the arrest of a Russian national accused of secretly recording and distributing intimate images of Ghanaian women without their consent.
The country’s Minister for Communications, Samuel Nartey George, publicly released details of the suspect during a press briefing in Accra, including a passport bearing the name Vladislav Liukov. He said the government was working to ensure the suspect is brought to justice.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has summoned the Russian ambassador, with officials stating that both countries are “working together to track down the individual.”
At the press conference, Mr George said: “Wizara za mawasiliano na jinsia zinamjua bwana huyu ni nani na pasipoti yake aliyoingia nayo nchini.” (The communications and gender ministries know who this man is and the passport he used to enter the country.)
He confirmed that several women have lodged formal complaints, which are to be forwarded to the Attorney General’s office for legal action.
“Polisi pamoja na mamlaka ya usalama wa mtandao watalipeleka suala hilo kwa Interpol kutoa hati ya kimataifa ya kukamatwa kwa bwana huyo,” he added (the police and cybersecurity authorities will take the matter to Interpol to issue an international arrest warrant for him), indicating that the case would be escalated to Interpol.
Ghana’s cybersecurity authorities, who conducted preliminary investigations, allege that the suspect recorded intimate encounters with some of the women and monetised the footage through online platforms.
Under Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038), recording or distributing intimate images without consent is a criminal offence. Conviction carries a potential prison sentence of up to 25 years.
Officials say preparations are under way to prosecute the suspect in absentia if he fails to present himself before the courts.
The case has triggered widespread debate in Ghana. While many citizens are demanding the suspect’s arrest, some online commentators have questioned whether the victims had consented to being recorded, an assertion government officials firmly reject.
The Minister for Gender, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, said: “Sio wanawake wote ambao picha zao zilichapishwa kwenye mitandao ya kijamii walikutana kimapenzi na mshukiwa.” (Not all the women whose images were published on social media had intimate relationships with the suspect.)
She added: “Baadhi ya wanawake hawa wanajiua hasa wale ambao hawakuwa na uhusiano wa kimapenzi na mshukiwa.” (Some of these women are suicidal, especially those who had no intimate relationship with the suspect.)
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Ms Lartey called for compassion towards the victims and confirmed that her ministry is providing psychological support services to those who have come forward.
The incident comes amid growing concern across West Africa over online exploitation and the non-consensual sharing of intimate content, commonly referred to as image-based abuse.
In recent years, Ghana has strengthened enforcement mechanisms under its cybercrime laws, including the establishment of specialised digital forensics and cyber-monitoring units.
Authorities say investigations remain ongoing, with intelligence-sharing channels activated to trace the suspect and prevent further dissemination of the alleged material.
