Sexual exploitation: Gov’t pushes for Interpol arrest of Russian national

Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George says the government has activated INTERPOL processes to pursue a Russian national accused of secretly recording Ghanaian women without consent.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Mr. George disclosed that he and Gender Minister Naa Momo Lartey met the Russian Ambassador to Ghana to present evidence gathered so far.

He revealed that international law enforcement mechanisms have been triggered in anticipation of the suspect leaving Russia.

“Working with the Ghana Police CID, we have activated international legal action through INTERPOL to ensure that once the individual sets foot outside Russia, we have a legal route to make him answer for his actions within Ghana,” the Minister noted.

“This morning, together with my Honourable Colleague, Naa Momo Lartey, PhD, Minister for Gender, Children & Social Protection, we engaged the Russian Ambassador to Ghana,” he wrote, adding that they held “very fruitful deliberations” and presented information available to government in relation to Vladislav Luilkov, “the Russian national who is alleged to have engaged in non-consensual recording of ladies.”

Mr. George stressed that authorities are determined to pursue the matter through both domestic and international legal channels.

“My Colleague and I reiterate our commitment to using all legal means at our disposal to ensure that s.67 of the Cyber Security Act, 2020 (Act 1038), is upheld and the protections of Ghanaian citizens are enforced at all times,” he stated.

The development follows a diplomatic protest by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who summoned Russia’s Ambassador to Ghana, Sergei Berdnikov, over what the government described as unlawful conduct by a supposed Russian national in Accra.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry indicated that the alleged individual unlawfully published sexually explicit images of Ghanaian women without their consent, raising serious concerns about privacy violations and cybercrime.

The government maintains that all legal options remain on the table as it seeks cooperation from Russian authorities and international partners to ensure accountability and protect the dignity of the affected women.