The first time, Yuri was convicted for, according to the charges, in September 2020, while walking with friends near the Molodezhnaya Hotel, during a conversation he tugged at the national flag, which eventually fell.
In November 2021, his sentence was changed and he was sent to a penal colony.
In January 2022, he was released, having fully served his sentence.
On February 15, 2022, Yuri was detained again in a criminal case opened under the article "assistance to extremist activity." He received administrative arrest, during which KGB officers visited him. As a result of the beatings, he was suspected of having broken ribs. The criminal case was not closed.
In May 2022, he was detained again in Russia due to a wanted list, and in October of the same year he was extradited to Belarus, although the extradition case was formally closed on September 26, 2022.
In January 2023, Yuri was convicted again for helping other political prisoners receive aid from foundations. At the trial, he pleaded not guilty and refused to testify.
In May 2024, his sentence was increased and he was transferred to prison until the end of his term.
