Ghanaian authorities, led by Sam George, Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, have been taking frantic steps to have a Russian national extradited to Ghana to face criminal charges over the alleged secret recording and online sharing of intimate videos involving Ghanaian women.
However, it appears these efforts have hit a brick wall, as the Russian Ambassador to Ghana, Sergei Berdnikov, has made it clear that it is impossible to bring the young man back to Ghana.
According to the ambassador, the Russian Constitution supersedes all extradition treaties, making such a move legally impossible.
Plan B
This response from the Russian Ambassador clearly did not sit well with Ghanaian officials. As a result, Sam George has outlined alternative measures to ensure that the accused Russian national is brought to justice.
Below is what the minister posted on his social media handle at noon today:
This morning, together with my Honourable Colleague, Naa Momo Lartey, PhD, Minister for Gender, Children & Social Protection, we engaged the Russian Ambassador to Ghana.
We had very fruitful deliberations where we presented information available to us in relation to Vladislav Luilkov, the Russian national alleged to have engaged in the non-consensual recording of ladies.
My colleague and I reiterate our commitment to using all legal means at our disposal to ensure that Section 67 of the Cyber Security Act, 2020 (Act 1038), is upheld and that the protections of Ghanaian citizens are enforced at all times.
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 in Ghana.
The minister also shared details relating to the identity of the Russian man, including an image of his passport.
