We investigate corruption, uncover fake news and analyze the news agenda. The BIC is a member of the global network of investigative journalists.
Our journalists are the recipients of the national award “Free Word” from the Association of Journalists of Belarus in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. At "Free Word" 2021 BIC’s team also received first place for Analytics
BIC is a member of the OCCRP (Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project)
We are also members of GIJN (Global Investigative Journalism Network)
Deputy Gigin said Slovakia had allowed May 9 celebrations. But was there ever a ban?
We looked into how Bratislava marks Victory Day.
In 2024, Slovak authorities lifted a ban on May 9 celebrations, said House of Representatives deputy Vadim Gigin, describing how “the enemy failed to erase the memory.” The Weekly Top Fake team investigated whether such a ban ever existed.
House of Representatives deputy Vadim Gigin spoke on May 2, 2025, about Western attempts to erase the memory of victory over the Nazis during a broadcast of “Editors’ Club.” He cited Slovakia as an example:
“They tried everything over the years to wipe out that memory. Last year, the authorities simply lifted the ban on celebrating May 9. Tens of thousands of people turned out.”
The WTF team found no evidence that Slovakia ever banned May 9 celebrations. Victory Day over fascism is observed there every year, but on May 8 — like in most European countries — not May 9 as in Belarus and Russia. The day is recognized as a public holiday.
Every year on May 8, official events are held in Bratislava, including at the Slavin memorial, which honors Soviet soldiers who died liberating the city. Ceremonies involving government officials took place there in both 2022 and 2023. Last year, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico took part in the commemorations. Media reports said only a few hundred people gathered at the memorial, not tens of thousands as Gigin claimed.
On May 9, Slovak residents mark the day privately. Those who lay flowers at the memorial are mostly members of the Russian diaspora or pro-Russian groups.
In 2022, another memorial site was unveiled in Bratislava — the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
