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Dirty Deeds: Tales of Global Crime & Corruption

Exposing a Former Czech PM’s Offshore Finances

Ep. 4

Pavla Holcová was greeted with an avalanche of threats when she woke up one morning. Her country’s former prime minister had publicly accused her of being a paid agent to undermine his re-election campaign.


In this episode you’ll hear about the dangers OCCRP’s investigative journalists face when trying to get to the truth, the horrific abuse they face and how the OCCRP helps to protect them and their sources.


Host Nick Wallis talks with Pavla and fellow OCCRP editor Pete Jones about how an investigation exposing ex-Czech PM Andrej Babiš’ undeclared overseas property deals led to a very public attack by the politician and media mogul. Pavla recounts her encounters with Babiš — and what kept her going in the face of horrific abuse from his supporters.


We also hear from Prague-based journalist Will Nattrass on why Babiš is seen as a threat to press freedom, corruption in the Czech Republic, and where the country’s politics could head in the future.


Dirty Deeds is a Little Gem production for OCCRP. The host is Nick Wallis. The producer is Lindsay Riley at Rethink Audio, with research from Phoebe Adler-Ryan and Riham Moussa.


Read the investigation:


This week’s guests:


Transcript:

  • Read the transcript on the OCCRP website here


More information on OCCRP:


[00:00] Introduction

[02:23] Pavla Holcová and Pete Jones explain how their investigation into Andrej Babiš began

[06:45] Pavla describes a public confrontation with Babiš

[08:03] Pavla describes how Babiš targeted her on social media and what consequences she suffered

[15:18] What kept Pavla going despite abuse from Babiš and his supporters

[18:03] Pete explains what makes OCCRP distinct as a news organization

[23:51] How OCCRP journalists prepare for and respond to threats

[26:08] The consequence of the article for Babiš

[27:11] Will Nattrass on Babiš, corruption and the direction of Czech politics


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  • Trailer

    00:51|
    Welcome To Dirty Deeds: Tales of Global Crime & Corruption.Are you ready to venture into the shadows? Dirty Deeds unravels the hidden stories of the fraud and deceit behind some of the biggest international scandals in recent years, told by the investigative journalists who uncovered them.Every other week, we’ll bring you reporting from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a worldwide network of journalists who cross borders and bad guys to shine a bright light on some of the world’s most dangerous criminal networks. We’ll travel the globe from the oil fields of Venezuela to the rosewood forests of Namibia to the steppes of Central Asia. And don’t forget the posh London real estate where much of the dirty cash ends up. These are the inside stories of how the powerful, unscrupulous, and well-connected can acquire unimaginable wealth — and of what it takes to expose them.Dirty Deeds is a Little Gem production for OCCRP. The host is Nick Wallis. The producer is Lindsay Riley at Rethink Audio, with research from Phoebe Adler-Ryan and Riham Moussa.More information on OCCRP:Keep up with the latest in global organized crime and corruption at OCCRP and sign up for our weekly newsletter.Follow on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to get the latest updates.Support investigative journalism in the public interest. Donate to OCCRP..