Former head of Intex-Press. Intex-Press was the largest and most successful independent regional media outlet in Belarus, but the authorities crushed it in 2021.
After the authorities liquidated the largest regional publication, Intex-Press, in 2023, Yanukevich and Pokolenko created the regional news portal bar24.by. In December 2024, bar24.by's editorial office and employees' apartments were searched, and some employees were detained.
Yanukevich was sentenced to 14 years in prison and a fine of 135,000 rubles (approximately 40,000 euros), while Pokolenko was sentenced to 12 years in prison and a fine of 45,000 rubles (approximately 13,000 euros). According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ ), "there is information about a huge total fine of approximately 200,000 rubles (approximately 60,000 euros)."
The nature of the charges is unknown.
