Ghana’s Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations Minister, Sam Nartey George, has disclosed that his country’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) will be seeking an arrest warrant from Interpol for the Russian accused of publishing sexually explicit visuals of Ghanaian women without their consent.
The Minister says some of the women found in the videos have lodged complaints about the incident, prompting the immediate investigations into the alleged offences.
Despite the speculation around the incident from the beginning, the Minister has said the man’s identity and nationality have been confirmed, with verification through his passport confirming he is a Russian, contrary to earlier rumours online which suggested otherwise.
George told newsmen on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, that the suspect’s conduct was “atrocious”, saying it violates Ghanaian law, undermines the privacy of the victims and disregards their dignity.
Meanwhile, the Russian Ambassador to Ghana had earlier been summoned by the Ghana government to formally express concern over the alleged unlawful and demand for accountability.
The controversy intensified after a viral video surfaced showing a man identified as Yaytseslav interacting with Ghanaian women, some of whom were later shown to have accompanied him to his hotel.
Meanwhile, the Ghanaian government formally summoned the Russian Ambassador to Ghana to formally express concern over the alleged unlawful and demanded for explanation.
The controversy intensified after a viral video surfaced showing a man identified as Yaytseslav interacting with Ghanaian women, some of whom were later shown to have accompanied him to his hotel.
The Russian Embassy in Ghana has addressed reports Monday regarding a sensitive criminal investigation involving allegations of sexual exploitation and the illegal filming of Ghanaian women. The case has ignited widespread public outcry and intense social media scrutiny across the West African nation.
The controversy emerges at a critical moment for regional diplomacy, as Ghana balances its growing technological privacy concerns with its complex international partnerships.
Diplomatic officials in Accra released a formal statement on X, acknowledging the gravity of the accusations circulating in local media. The Embassy confirmed it is tracking the situation closely through digital and news channels.
“The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Ghana has taken note of the reports in the Ghanaian media on the alleged involvement of a supposedly Russian citizen engaged in sexual activities with some Ghanaian women and recorded those acts without consent,” the statement said.
The mission has not yet confirmed the specific identity or the legal nationality of the individual at the center of the controversy. Official communications did not clarify if formal verification of the claims has occurred or if direct engagement with Ghanaian security agencies has begun.
The Russian remains at the heart of a deepening scandal involving claims of non-consensual recordings during intimate encounters. Reports suggest a foreign national targeted multiple women under the guise of consensual relations before secretly storing or distributing the footage.
Public sentiment remains tense as citizens demand transparency regarding the suspect’s whereabouts. Legal experts note that under Section 117 of Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act, the non-consensual recording and distribution of intimate images is a felony. Such actions carry significant penalties including lengthy prison sentences.
