Fresh twists have emerged in the ongoing investigation into the individual behind the circulation of sexually explicit images of Ghanaian women online, after Ghana’s foreign ministry disclosed that the suspect’s alleged Russian nationality cannot yet be confirmed and that the name associated with him, may not even be a real Russian name.

In a press release on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ghana) announced it had summoned the Ambassador of the Russia to Ghana, Sergei Berdnikov, to formally protest what it described as the unlawful publication of intimate images without the consent of the victims.

While the suspect has widely been described on social media as a Russian national, the Russian envoy told Ghanaian officials that authorities are unable to verify that claim.

According to the ministry, Ambassador Berdnikov indicated that the name circulating in the media does not correspond to any known Russian personal name. Instead, he said, it appears to be an inappropriate or vulgar expression in the Russian language, casting further doubt on the suspect’s identity and nationality.

The revelation raises questions about whether the individual deliberately used a false or offensive alias online to mask his identity.

Despite the uncertainty, Ghana registered its strong displeasure over the incident, stressing that the alleged acts constitute serious violations of privacy, dignity, and Ghanaian law, as well as potential cybercrime offences.

The ambassador acknowledged the gravity of the situation and the broader cybercrime implications, and expressed Russia’s willingness to cooperate with Ghana’s investigation. He also disclosed that similar activities linked to the suspect have come to the attention of Russian authorities in other jurisdictions and are being examined by experts.

Although Ghana and Russia do not currently have a legally binding extradition treaty, the Russian Embassy in Accra has pledged to share relevant information to assist Ghanaian authorities in tracking and apprehending the individual responsible.

The ministry reiterated its commitment to using diplomatic and international legal channels to ensure justice for the affected victims, while assuring the public that efforts are ongoing to establish the true identity of the suspect.

As investigations continue, determining who the suspect really is, and whether he is indeed Russian, remains central to the next steps in the case.