A Russian blogger who secretly recorded sex with women in Ghana and Kenya without their consent and sold the footage online faces a potential prison sentence of up to 25 years after local police confirmed they were seeking his arrest.
The allegations surfaced in Accra, the capital of Ghana, on 14th February, when Ghanaian authorities confirmed they had launched extradition proceedings against the suspect, who is also linked to similar claims in Kenya.
The man has been identified by officials and media reports as Vyacheslav Trahov, a Russian national also known online as “Yaytseslav,” who allegedly used smart glasses fitted with a hidden camera to record women during private encounters in both countries.
Ghana’s Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, told an emergency press conference in Accra that the government had activated international processes to track him down and was working with Interpol, adding that the Russian ambassador had been invited to cooperate with law enforcement.
Picture shows Vyacheslav Trahov, also known as Yaytseslav, undated. He was filming his encounters with African women. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash)
George said: “The gentleman will be looked for. We will activate every resource at our disposal working with Interpol
“We want the gentleman to be brought back to Ghana, extradited to Ghana for him to face the rigours of our law.”
Officials said preliminary investigations suggest Trahov may already have left Ghana, but stressed this does not reduce the seriousness of the alleged conduct, with authorities prepared to consider a trial in absentia if extradition proves impossible.
According to investigators, Trahov allegedly approached women in public locations including shopping centres in Accra and Nairobi, struck up conversations and later arranged meetings at private residences, where intimate encounters were recorded without the women’s knowledge.
Picture shows Vyacheslav Trahov, also known as Yaytseslav, undated. He was filming his encounters with African women. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash)
Short, edited clips were allegedly shared on public platforms including TikTok and YouTube, while longer videos were reportedly placed behind a paid subscription on Telegram.
Ghanaian authorities said approximately 40 women have lodged formal complaints so far, with investigations ongoing amid concerns the number of affected women across Ghana and Kenya could be higher.
Under Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act 2020, publishing intimate images without full consent carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
The case remains under active investigation as Ghana seeks international cooperation to locate the suspect and bring him before the courts.
(Aloysius Fernandes /Newsflash)