Sam George: Russian suspect to face Ghana’s laws, even if tried in absentia
The government has begun moves to extradite a Russian national accused of secretly recording and publishing intimate videos of Ghanaian women online, with the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, declaring that the suspect will face the full force of Ghana’s laws.
Speaking during an interview at the launch of the Horlap Innovation Experience, Mr George described the alleged conduct as a criminal offence under Ghanaian legislation and warned that the unauthorised recording and distribution of private content would not be tolerated.
“It is a crime to record a person without their consent and upload it on the internet. Even if you record and keep it on your phone and the person finds it and reports, we will arrest you to face the law,” he stated.
The Minister said the government would pursue all available legal and diplomatic avenues to ensure the suspect is brought before a Ghanaian court. He disclosed that steps were being taken to collaborate with international law enforcement agencies, including INTERPOL, as well as Russian authorities.
“That gentleman will be looked for. We will activate every resource at our disposal, working with INTERPOL… we will request the Russian authority. 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,” he said.
Mr George emphasised that the administration of President John Dramani Mahama remained committed to safeguarding the dignity and rights of all Ghanaian citizens, irrespective of personal choices or circumstances.
“Ghanaian citizens, irrespective of their decision-making, will be protected by the government. The Government of John Dramani Mahama will ensure that every citizen’s right is protected,” he emphasized.
He further revealed that the ministry’s Cyber Security team was assembling evidence to support prosecution, indicating that authorities were prepared to proceed even if the suspect fails to return voluntarily.
“We are working on it. My little team at Cyber Security is building a full docket. Whether we have the gentleman or not, I intend for us to file a full prosecution. We will make representation before the court, try him in absentia and get judgment if he fails to show up,” he stated.
According to the Minister, the Gender Minister has also addressed the matter publicly, underscoring a coordinated government response aimed at deterrence and accountability.
“We will not let this go… We will pursue this to its legal conclusion and ensure that this never happens again,” he stressed.
Mr George also urged the public to exercise vigilance, particularly in online interactions, while reaffirming government’s broader commitment to strengthening digital safety frameworks and enforcement mechanisms.
The case centres on allegations that the Russian national travelled to Ghana, lured women into private encounters, recorded them without their consent and subsequently published the material online for financial gain. Authorities say the matter is being treated as a serious breach of privacy and criminal law, with efforts underway to secure justice through both domestic and international channels.
