The Foreign Affairs Ministry has summoned the Russian Ambassador to Ghana, Sergei Berdnikov, over what it describes as the unlawful publication of sexually explicit images of Ghanaian women without their consent.

In a statement dated Tuesday, February 17, the Ministry confirmed the Ambassador was invited “on the instruction of the Minister for Foreign Affairs” to address the conduct of a “supposed Russian national” linked to the viral leak.

The Ministry said the summons was meant to formally express the government’s “strong displeasure” at what it called the “atrocious conduct” of the individual.

It said the act “clearly violates Ghanaian law,” and stressed that Ghana was seeking Russia’s cooperation in pursuing justice for the victims.

During the engagement, Ambassador Berdnikov acknowledged “the violation of the privacy and dignity of the victims,” and also pointed to “the larger cybercrime dimensions” of the case.

The statement said he expressed the Russian Federation's willingness to cooperate with Ghana on the matter.

However, the Russian Ambassador said he could not confirm the nationality of the person at the centre of the intimate viral videos.

He also disclosed that the name circulating in the media was “not a known Russian name” and rather represented “an inappropriate or vulgar expression in the Russian language.”

The Ambassador further highlighted that similar activities by the same individual in other countries had come to the attention of Russian authorities.

According to the Ministry, he said the matter was being investigated by Russian experts.

The statement said Ambassador Berdnikov pledged that the Russian Embassy in Ghana was willing to share information to support Ghana’s efforts to apprehend the suspect and bring him to justice.

This cooperation, the Ministry noted, would be pursued “within the context of our longstanding bilateral relations,” even though there is no legally binding extradition treaty between Ghana and Russia.

The Ministry assured the public that the government remains committed to leveraging Ghana’s cordial relations with Russia and exploring “all international tools and remedies” to secure justice.