In Kabardino-Balkaria, 16 individuals have been detained on suspicion of involvement in the activities of a terrorist cell. According to investigators, the cell was established by a local resident who recruited 15 acquaintances, with the group allegedly planning to carry out terrorist attacks within the republic.

The regional branch of the Investigative Committee reported that in March 2024, a man—who, according to the agency, "shared the goals of an international terrorist organization banned in Russia"—decided to establish a local branch of that organization in Kabardino-Balkaria.

Investigators allege that he persuaded acquaintances to join the cell. Its operations were reportedly thwarted by officers from the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, leading to the detention and subsequent remand in custody of all suspected members. The organizer, a local resident born in 1986, now faces criminal charges for recruiting individuals into terrorist-related activities; he could face between seven and 15 years in prison.

Previously, more than 115 residents of Kabardino-Balkaria demanded that federal authorities review criminal cases involving the alleged ties of local residents to the "Caucasus Emirate"—a terrorist organization banned in Russia. The authors of an open letter claim that over the past two years, more than 100 such cases may have been fabricated within the republic.

According to the signatories, officers from the FSB’s Kabardino-Balkaria branch have employed a consistent modus operandi: during searches, they allegedly plant mobile phones on suspects—devices pre-loaded with the Telegram app and containing fabricated correspondence regarding an intent to join the organization. The authors of the appeal also allege that detainees have been subjected to torture and that the prosecution has relied on testimony from anonymous, "secret" witnesses. They demanded the creation of an independent commission to investigate the cases they had documented.

In July, the FSB announced the detention of eight residents of the Baksansky District. According to the security service, they had pledged allegiance to an international terrorist organization and were preparing to attack law enforcement facilities, seize weapons, and go underground. In footage of the operation published by TASS, a flag of the "Caucasus Emirate" could be seen among the items seized.