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Disinfo: Coronavirus is a manipulative story

Summary

On a global scale, coronavirus is a kind of manipulative story. On the other hand, it is necessary to respond to it in some countries.

Disproof

Conspiracy theories about the 2019-nCoV coronavirus.

The coronavirus (2019-nCoV) comes from a family of viruses that include SARS and MERS. It was first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan in central China and has been rapidly spreading. As of 15th March 2020, over 153,517 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in over 143 countries/territories.

You can see other examples in our database, such as claims that Bill Gates and George Soros are sponsoring it, that it is a UK, US or NATO creation and that the Americans have the cure, that it is an artificial disease which specifically targets Chinese DNA, that it was created with economic goals while Big Pharma companies are spreading panic for their own profit, that it is a biological weapon against Russia and China and that it will wipe out Ukraine’s population in a few days.

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publication/media

Pervyi Kanal [from 43:30] (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 188
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 06/03/2020
  • Language/target audience: Russian
  • Country: Russia
  • Keywords: coronavirus, Virus / bacteria threat, Conspiracy theory

Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

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The MH17 was shot down by a Ukrainian fighter

The MH17 was shot down by a Ukrainian fighter. Talking about the Joint Investigation Team, as the most victims of the catastrophe were the citizens of Australia and the Netherlands, the participation of these two countries in JIT is legitimate, while the participation of Belgium and Ukraine is “suspicious”. There was absolutely no ground to involve Belgium in the investigation. One should take into account though, that the country is the brain centre (sic!) of both the EU and the NATO. Also, Kyiv’s participation is questionable, as it is the main suspect in shooting down the flight.

March 10, 2020
Disproof

It is a pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative aiming to discredit the International Joint Investigation Team (JIT) and the progress made in the investigation of the downing of the flight MH17.

A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) is an investigation team set up for a fixed period, based on an agreement between two or more EU Member States and/ or competent authorities, for a specific purpose. On the one hand, two Europol member states should participate in a JIT, according to Europol. That is the reason why Belgium is involved in its work. On the other hand, there has been no information on any activities of Belgium in the criminal investigation of the downing of MH17. Therefore it is safe to say that Belgium's role in the JIT is rather formal.

The JIT builds all its conclusions on doubtful data

The Joint Investigation Team builds all its conclusions in the MH17 case on doubtful data from social networks and on their crude compilation.

March 10, 2020
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the downing of the flight MH17. The Joint Investigation Team collected forensic evidence from debris, soil samples, taped phone conversations and other evidence. Full description of how the investigation was conducted is available in the JIT's report.

The JIT has concluded that flight MH17 was shot down on 17 July 2014 by a missile of the 9M38 series, launched by a BUK-TELAR, from farmland in the vicinity of Pervomaiskiy. At that time, the area was controlled by pro-Russian fighters. The BUK-TELAR was brought in from the territory of the Russian Federation and subsequently, after having shot down flight MH17, was taken back to the Russian Federation. The public hearing started on 9 March 2020 in the Netherlands.

Coronavirus chooses difficult countries

Coronovirus exhibits strange behaviour, choosing difficult countries. For example, China, Iran. But why Italy? In Italy there is the Pope in Rome, and a sneeze from him causes panic. The task of the spread of the virus is to slow down the growth rate of the world economy and freeze the world economy. Freezing the world economy through China is more effective.

March 10, 2020
Disproof

Conspiracy theories about the 2019-nCoV coronavirus. 

There is no evidence that suggests that the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is used as a weapon against certain states. It comes from a family of viruses that include other viruses such as SARS and MERS. It was first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan in central China and has been rapidly spreading with new cases being reported in the Asia-Pacific region as well as Europe, North America and the Middle East, causing 4000 deaths by 10 March 2020.Coronavirus is detected in more than 110 countries all over the world.