Shayan Sardarizadeh
@shayan86.bsky.social
BBC Verify senior journalist | verification, AI, disinformation, conspiracy theories, open source investigations | [email protected]
We analysed 392 photos of victims leaked to us after they were displayed in a mortuary in Tehran and were able to identify 326 people. Sources claimed the true number of dead at the mortuary ran into the thousands.
Many of the victims were too disfigured to be identified.
Many of the victims were too disfigured to be identified.
January 21, 2026 at 9:52 AM
We analysed 392 photos of victims leaked to us after they were displayed in a mortuary in Tehran and were able to identify 326 people. Sources claimed the true number of dead at the mortuary ran into the thousands.
Many of the victims were too disfigured to be identified.
Many of the victims were too disfigured to be identified.
There is no evidence that China has moved its aircraft carrier Fujian to the Strait of Taiwan following the seizure of Nicolas Maduro by the US.
January 6, 2026 at 12:44 AM
There is no evidence that China has moved its aircraft carrier Fujian to the Strait of Taiwan following the seizure of Nicolas Maduro by the US.
This viral video claims to show US flags being waved in Venezuela to celebrate the US seizure of Nicolas Maduro.
While the video is recent and was posted by a TikTok user over the weekend, a simple geolocation shows that the gathering took place in Panama City, not Venezuela.
While the video is recent and was posted by a TikTok user over the weekend, a simple geolocation shows that the gathering took place in Panama City, not Venezuela.
January 5, 2026 at 11:06 PM
This viral video claims to show US flags being waved in Venezuela to celebrate the US seizure of Nicolas Maduro.
While the video is recent and was posted by a TikTok user over the weekend, a simple geolocation shows that the gathering took place in Panama City, not Venezuela.
While the video is recent and was posted by a TikTok user over the weekend, a simple geolocation shows that the gathering took place in Panama City, not Venezuela.
This video claims to show a billboard of Nicolas Maduro being brought down by Venezuelans after the US seizure of him.
But the video is from July 2024, when opposition protests erupted across Venezuela after a highly disputed presidential election.
Fact-check: @davidpuente.it
But the video is from July 2024, when opposition protests erupted across Venezuela after a highly disputed presidential election.
Fact-check: @davidpuente.it
January 5, 2026 at 5:59 PM
This video claims to show a billboard of Nicolas Maduro being brought down by Venezuelans after the US seizure of him.
But the video is from July 2024, when opposition protests erupted across Venezuela after a highly disputed presidential election.
Fact-check: @davidpuente.it
But the video is from July 2024, when opposition protests erupted across Venezuela after a highly disputed presidential election.
Fact-check: @davidpuente.it
This video claims to show a US military helicopter during the operation in Venezuela to capture Maduro.
However, the video is from 2023, and shows a Boeing CH-47 Chinook during a military exercise in Miami.
However, the video is from 2023, and shows a Boeing CH-47 Chinook during a military exercise in Miami.
January 5, 2026 at 1:37 AM
This video claims to show a US military helicopter during the operation in Venezuela to capture Maduro.
However, the video is from 2023, and shows a Boeing CH-47 Chinook during a military exercise in Miami.
However, the video is from 2023, and shows a Boeing CH-47 Chinook during a military exercise in Miami.
I will post a media literacy thread on how to verify AI-generated content when I find some free time.
For now, check out this thread on how to reverse search and source images and videos online.
bsky.app/profile/shay...
For now, check out this thread on how to reverse search and source images and videos online.
bsky.app/profile/shay...
THREAD: How to verify online images
Social media is awash with false or misleading images, some of which get millions of engagements.
So here's a simple guide on ways you can quickly check the veracity of images you see on your social media feeds with major elections coming up this year.
Social media is awash with false or misleading images, some of which get millions of engagements.
So here's a simple guide on ways you can quickly check the veracity of images you see on your social media feeds with major elections coming up this year.
January 5, 2026 at 1:25 AM
I will post a media literacy thread on how to verify AI-generated content when I find some free time.
For now, check out this thread on how to reverse search and source images and videos online.
bsky.app/profile/shay...
For now, check out this thread on how to reverse search and source images and videos online.
bsky.app/profile/shay...
Follow this 4 January thread of fact-checks for more viral misinformation about the capture of Nicolas Maduro
bsky.app/profile/shay...
bsky.app/profile/shay...
THREAD: Viral misinformation on US capture of Nicolas Maduro - 4 January
This video, shared by Alex Jones and others, falsely claims to show millions of Venezuelans in Caracas celebrating Maduro's capture.
In fact, it shows anti-Maduro protests in July 2024 over a highly disputed election.
This video, shared by Alex Jones and others, falsely claims to show millions of Venezuelans in Caracas celebrating Maduro's capture.
In fact, it shows anti-Maduro protests in July 2024 over a highly disputed election.
January 5, 2026 at 12:02 AM
Follow this 4 January thread of fact-checks for more viral misinformation about the capture of Nicolas Maduro
bsky.app/profile/shay...
bsky.app/profile/shay...
More AI-generated images of Nicolas Maduro being detained by the US military and transferred to the US have been shared online.
These two images have both been created with AI and aren't real.
These two images have both been created with AI and aren't real.
January 4, 2026 at 11:28 PM
More AI-generated images of Nicolas Maduro being detained by the US military and transferred to the US have been shared online.
These two images have both been created with AI and aren't real.
These two images have both been created with AI and aren't real.
This video, viewed over 600,000 times, claims to show US troops landing in Caracas to capture Maduro.
The video is from June 2025, showing US Special Forces preparing for the army's 250th anniversary parade.
Fact-check: @lgalrao.bsky.social
The video is from June 2025, showing US Special Forces preparing for the army's 250th anniversary parade.
Fact-check: @lgalrao.bsky.social
January 4, 2026 at 10:33 PM
This video, viewed over 600,000 times, claims to show US troops landing in Caracas to capture Maduro.
The video is from June 2025, showing US Special Forces preparing for the army's 250th anniversary parade.
Fact-check: @lgalrao.bsky.social
The video is from June 2025, showing US Special Forces preparing for the army's 250th anniversary parade.
Fact-check: @lgalrao.bsky.social
This video, viewed millions of times on TikTok, Facebook and X, claims to show Venezuelans taking to the street to thank the US for detaining Maduro.
But the video is a combination of four AI-generated clips and was first posted on TikTok by a user who frequently shares AI videos. It's not real.
But the video is a combination of four AI-generated clips and was first posted on TikTok by a user who frequently shares AI videos. It's not real.
January 4, 2026 at 7:39 PM
This video, viewed millions of times on TikTok, Facebook and X, claims to show Venezuelans taking to the street to thank the US for detaining Maduro.
But the video is a combination of four AI-generated clips and was first posted on TikTok by a user who frequently shares AI videos. It's not real.
But the video is a combination of four AI-generated clips and was first posted on TikTok by a user who frequently shares AI videos. It's not real.
This widely shared post, which claims to show Venezuelans celebrating the fall of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, is false.
The video was actually filmed in Miami, Florida, and not in Venezuela.
The video was actually filmed in Miami, Florida, and not in Venezuela.
January 4, 2026 at 12:53 AM
This widely shared post, which claims to show Venezuelans celebrating the fall of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, is false.
The video was actually filmed in Miami, Florida, and not in Venezuela.
The video was actually filmed in Miami, Florida, and not in Venezuela.
Yes, that one was posted by Trump and appears to be genuine
January 3, 2026 at 10:42 PM
Yes, that one was posted by Trump and appears to be genuine
More AI-generated images of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro being detained by US military and drug enforcement agents have been shared online.
They are all fake and created by an Instagram user who makes and posts generative AI content.
They are all fake and created by an Instagram user who makes and posts generative AI content.
January 3, 2026 at 10:34 PM
More AI-generated images of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro being detained by US military and drug enforcement agents have been shared online.
They are all fake and created by an Instagram user who makes and posts generative AI content.
They are all fake and created by an Instagram user who makes and posts generative AI content.
This video, viewed millions of times, falsely claims to show the US military operation in Venezuela this morning.
In fact, the video is old, and was posted to TikTok back in November 2025.
In fact, the video is old, and was posted to TikTok back in November 2025.
January 3, 2026 at 6:41 PM
This video, viewed millions of times, falsely claims to show the US military operation in Venezuela this morning.
In fact, the video is old, and was posted to TikTok back in November 2025.
In fact, the video is old, and was posted to TikTok back in November 2025.