Vyacheslav Trahov
The Russian Ambassador to Ghana, Sergei Berdnikov, has revealed that the embassy is unable to confirm the identity of the individual at the centre of sharing intimate viral videos involving multiple Ghanaian women.
According to him, the purported name Vyacheslav Trahov, is not a known Russian name but rather represents an inappropriate or vulgar expression in the Russian language.
This information comes after the formal summon of the Russian Ambassador by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, following the conduct of a supposed Russian national who unlawfully published sexually explicit images of Ghanaian women without their consent.
The Ministry, in a press statement, noted that the Russian Ambassador acknowledged the violation of the privacy and dignity of the Ghanaian women, highlighting the larger cybercrime dimensions, and expressed the willingness of the Russian Federation to cooperate with the country on the matter.
“Ambassador Sergei Berdnikov acknowledged the violation of the privacy and dignity of the victims, and the larger cybercrime dimensions while expressing the willingness of the Russian Federation to cooperate with the country on the matter,” it pointed out.
The statement further indicated that the Russian Ambassador highlighted similar activities of the said individual in other countries, emphasising that an investigation will be conducted by Russian experts on the issue.
“The Ambassador highlighted similar activities from the said individual in other countries which had come to the attention of Russian authorities, and was being investigated by Russian experts,” it added.
“Ambassador Sergei Berdnikov has pledged that the embassy in Ghana is willing to share information on the matter to facilitate Ghana’s ongoing efforts aimed at apprehending the individual and bringing him to justice within the context of our longstanding bilateral relations despite the absence of a legally binding extradition treaty,” the ministry disclosed.
The ministry has assured the public of its commitment to ensure justice is served.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to assure the general public of its commitment to leverage the cordial bilateral relations between Ghana and Russia, and explore all international tools and remedies to ensure that justice is secured,” it added.
‘Don’t Share Videos’
Meanwhile, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has cautioned the public against sharing, downloading, rebroadcasting or monetising the video recorded and circulated by the supposed Russian national involving Ghanaian women.
Speaking at a press conference with officials from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the minister emphasised that the circulation of the footage is not only unethical but also a criminal offence under Ghanaian law.
“Do not share, download, circulate, or monetise this illegal content. Doing so constitutes a criminal offence,” he warned.
He stated that government is handling the matter with urgency and has already taken steps to preserve crucial digital evidence.
“The Government has initiated processes to trace and secure relevant digital and financial evidence,” he stated. The minister further noted that investigations will not be limited to the foreign national accused of recording and distributing the videos.
“Any individual, including Ghanaian citizens, who have shared, rebroadcast, or redistributed the illegal material will also be held liable under our laws,” he stressed.
BY Florence Asamoah Adom & Vera Owusu Sarpong