The Government has initiated legal processes to prosecute a Russian national accused of non-consensually recording and disseminating intimate images of Ghanaian women, even if he is not extradited to Ghana.
Samuel Nartey George, the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, disclosed this at a joint press briefing with Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, on Wednesday.
He said investigations by the Cyber Security Authority and law enforcement agencies indicated that the suspect allegedly recorded private encounters without consent for publication and monetised the content online, charging fees and receiving payments through cryptocurrency channels.
George said the Cyber Security Authority was preparing a docket through the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General’s Department for prosecution in absentia.
“We are also preparing through the Cyber Security Authority to present a docket through the Police Service and Attorney-General for prosecution in absentia in our courts,” he said.
He noted that in view of the transnational nature of the case, the two ministries had formally briefed the Russian Ambassador to Ghana, Sergei Berdnikov, and submitted a detailed report through diplomatic channels.
George said the Ambassador acknowledged receipt of the briefing and confirmed that the information received would be transmitted to the appropriate authorities in Moscow for further consideration.
Although there was no extradition treaty between Ghana and the Russian Federation, the Ambassador said the alleged conduct constituted a criminal offence under Russian law.
George said the Government was working with INTERPOL to activate international arrest warrant protocols.
He explained that even if the suspect was not extradited due to provisions of the Russian Constitution, an international arrest warrant would restrict his movement beyond Russia.
“As soon as he steps outside of Russia into any other country, he will be picked up to serve the sentence,” he stated.
Dr Lartey, on her part, reiterated the Government’s determination to pursue the matter to its logical legal conclusion to ensure justice for the affected women.
“The assurance we are giving all Ghanaians is that nobody will violate any Ghanaian citizen and go scot-free,” she said.
“We are going to pursue it. And that is the charge His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has given us.”
