In 1948, Pechersky was arrested by the Soviet authorities along with his brother during the countrywide Rootless cosmopolitan campaign against Jews suspected of pro-Western leanings but released later due in part to mounting international pressure.
Pada 1948, Pechersky ditangkap oleh otoritas Soviet bersama dengan saudaranya pada kampanye Rootless cosmopolitan di seluruh belahan negeri terhadap Yahudi yang diduga berpemikiran pro-Barat namun kemudian dibebaskan sebagian karena tekanan mancanegara.