The FSB attempted to identify proof of involvement in the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses among three residents of a mountain village in Karachay-Cherkessia

On January 9, 2021, in the village of Mednogorsky (Karachay-Cherkessia), FSB officers conducted an examination of at least three apartments of believers: 34-year-old A.S., 42-year-old S.G., and 55-year-old Irina Perefilieva. An elderly relative had high blood pressure due to stress. She required urgent medical assistance.

Federal Security Service agents from Cherkessk, about 100 km from the small mountain village in the North Caucasus, came to the believers in the early morning of the weekend. On 30 December 2020, Judge Islam Gerbekov issued an order for an inspection of the Mednogorsky dwellings in order to "identify the facts of involvement in the activities of the banned Jehovah's Witnesses organization". The inspection of the premises lasted from about 7:00 to 10:00 a.m.

The law enforcers offered believers to voluntarily surrender prohibited items, such as weapons. Having found nothing illegal, they seized electronic devices, data carriers, personal records and Bibles in different translations. The law enforcers promised to return all the items in a few days.

Persecution of peaceful believers in Karachay-Cherkessia began back in September 2010. At present the Cherkessky City Court is considering a criminal case against Albert Batchaev, who is accused of "extremism. Russian and foreign human rights activists have repeatedly stated that religious discrimination against Jehovah's Witnesses is inappropriate and called for an end to the persecution.