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)
“ZhS Premium” Claims Ukrainian Involvement in Georgian Protests Based on a Four-Year-Old Lost Passport
The WTF team, using the passport holder's name, located the original Facebook post.
A screenshot displaying a photograph of an allegedly found passport belonging to a resident of the Zakarpattia region in Ukraine was shared on Belarus’ pro-government Telegram channel, “ZhS Premium.” The authors linked this to Ukraine's involvement in fueling protests in Georgia. The Weekly Top Fake team investigated the age of the photo associated with the lost documents.
A post claiming Ukraine’s involvement in the protests in Georgia was published by the Telegram channel “ZhS Premium” on December 5, 2024. “Wow, what interesting findings people make! Someone lost a passport on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi last night. Oddly enough, it’s a Ukrainian passport. A tourist, perhaps?
Ironically, two days ago, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry vehemently denied any Ukrainian involvement in the situation in Georgia. But the evidence says otherwise,” the caption reads, accompanying a screenshot from the free classifieds website Cenotavr.
The ad does exist on Cenotavr, posted in the “found items” section in December 2024. However, the WTF team, using the passport holder's name, located the original Facebook post. It was published on December 29th, 2020. This means the passport was lost four years ago, not in Tbilisi, but in Uzhhorod, Ukraine.
The photos are identical — down to the texture of the surface where the passport is lying.
The presenter referred to the cost of the basic food basket. Over the past two years, the price of the Polish basket has risen by 7%, while the price of the Belarusian basket has risen by around 15%.
It won’t cost you anything!1.5% of your taxes in Poland can support the work of the Belarusian Investigative Center
When filing your PIT tax return in Poland, you can allocate 1.5% of the taxes you’ve already paid to any non-profit organization. That means you can choose to support the work of the Belarusian Investigative Center with your 1.5%.
When completing your PIT, enter BIC’s details in the section “1.5% podatku dla OPP.” Here’s what you need to include in your declaration: