It is indeed not an IT portal, but an ecommerce website. Very similar to Alibaba in its business model. Had a catalogue of every imaginable product and the best ever search over it.
This is very-very old project and I don't believe it had anything illegal going on.
My personal suspicions are that it is more political issue, rather than doing something illegal. Site was covering many news events, including showing off 'inefficiencies' of belarus government. I might be wrong tho.