Russian Content Creator in Ghana Leak Case Identified as Liulkov

Ghanaian authorities have clarified the identity of the Russian national linked to the widely circulated non-consensual intimate video, resolving days of speculation about who he is and where he is from.

The individual, known online as Vyacheslav Trahov and also stylised as Yaitseslav, Yatseslav or Yaitseslav Shurupov, has been officially identified as 36-year-old Vladislav Aleksandrovich Liulkov. The confirmation came after officials verified his passport documentation, establishing both his legal name and nationality.

Government officials say steps are now underway to secure an international arrest warrant through INTERPOL as diplomatic and law enforcement efforts intensify.

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam Nartey George, published a copy of the suspect’s passport on Facebook, confirming his citizenship of the Russian Federation.

The passport, numbered 77 7784005, was issued on 9 December 2025 and remains valid until 2035. It lists Liulkov’s date of birth as 19 September 1989 and his place of birth as the Uzbek SSR, formerly part of the Soviet Union.

The disclosure addresses earlier doubts raised by the Russian Embassy in Accra. Ambassador Sergei Berdnikov had questioned whether the name circulating in media reports corresponded to a recognised Russian identity. The verified documentation has since settled that dispute.

At a joint press conference with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, officials outlined what they described as a coordinated national response to what they called a serious violation of women’s privacy and dignity.

The Criminal Investigation Department is actively pursuing an INTERPOL arrest warrant, signalling Ghana’s intent to seek accountability beyond its borders. Authorities confirmed that diplomatic channels have been activated to support cross-border cooperation.

Officials stressed that while Ghana respects the sovereign legal processes of the Russian Federation, it remains committed to pursuing all lawful avenues available under international law.

The case has prompted high-level diplomatic engagement. Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa previously summoned Ambassador Berdnikov to formally register the government’s concerns.

Following the meeting, the ambassador confirmed that details of the case would be forwarded to authorities in Moscow. Although there is no extradition treaty between Ghana and Russia, he noted that the alleged conduct would also constitute a criminal offence under Russian law and assured Ghana of continued cooperation.

Officials have warned that redistributing the explicit material constitutes a criminal offence under Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act 2020. The legislation provides for penalties of up to 25 years’ imprisonment for publishing explicit images without full consent.

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has established a dedicated victim support desk staffed with clinical professionals to provide psychological and emotional assistance.

Gender Minister Agnes Naa Momo Lartey appealed to the public to refrain from sharing the content, cautioning that such actions can deepen trauma and carry severe legal consequences. She also rejected victim-blaming narratives, urging compassion and support for those affected.

Authorities say confidential services are available for anyone impacted by the unauthorised publication of intimate images. Victims who have not yet come forward are encouraged to contact the support desk for professional assistance.

As investigations continue, the government has pledged to provide further updates on diplomatic and law enforcement developments.

The confirmation of Liulkov’s identity marks a critical step in what has become both a criminal investigation and a diplomatic matter, underscoring the growing global dimension of cybercrime and the legal complexities it presents.