Minsk Accountant Sentenced to 8.5 Years in 'Yard Chats' Case
On March 19, 2026, a verdict was handed down in Belarus against Minsk accountant Iryna Yakauleva. She was sentenced to eight and a half years of imprisonment in a penal colony, Christian Vision learned .
Illustrative photo. Photo: Nasha Niva
Iryna Yakauleva, who will turn 58 in a few days, was detained on October 31, 2024, in connection with the so-called "yard chats" case. She was reportedly charged under Article 357 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus — "conspiracy or other actions committed with the aim of seizing state power".
On the same day, the "Yard Coalition 'Order'", which the authorities included a number of yard chats in, was added to the list of structures allegedly involved in "extremist activity". Iryna Yakauleva was also named among the individuals whom the authorities linked to this "formation".
It is known that Iryna Yakauleva is an active Orthodox believer who was involved in church art and also donated to churches and monasteries in Belarus. She has already spent almost one and a half years in pre-trial detention.