There were strong reactions from both the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the case of Metropolitan Hilarion, who was detained by Czech police in Karlovy Vary on May 24 after narcotics were allegedly found in his car during an inspection.
The statements issued by both the Patriarchate and the Ministry followed a similar line, with the former speaking of “unlawful criminal prosecution,” while the Ministry described the incident as a “provocation.”
Metropolitan Hilarion, who has been retired since December 2024 following a decision of the Holy Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate, categorically denied any connection to illegal substances and, through his lawyers, requested a “full and independent investigation” into the incident.
Moscow Patriarchate Questions Legality of Police Actions
In response to the incident, the Synodal Department for Church Relations with Society and the Media of the Russian Orthodox Church issued an official statement expressing concern over the actions of Czech law enforcement authorities.
The Moscow Patriarchate stressed that clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church legally residing within European Union member states “must be protected from unlawful criminal prosecution” and stated that the actions of the Czech authorities “raise justified questions among lawyers regarding legality and observance of procedural norms.”
The statement also called on Czech investigative and judicial authorities to ensure that all legal rights of Metropolitan Hilarion are respected, adding that the Russian Orthodox Church would take “all measures предусмотренные законом” to provide legal assistance to the hierarch.
Russian Foreign Ministry Calls Incident a “Provocation”
The Russian Foreign Ministry also reacted strongly to the case. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described the detention as a “deliberately staged provocation” aimed at discrediting both Metropolitan Hilarion personally and Orthodoxy more broadly, according to TASS news agency.
Zakharova claimed that the accusations were “fabricated” and demanded the immediate release of the Metropolitan.
According to her statement, the vehicle carrying Metropolitan Hilarion was stopped by two Czech police patrol cars, while the subsequent search allegedly took place “without photo or video recording and without independent witnesses.”
She further stated that both Metropolitan Hilarion and his driver underwent personal searches and drug tests at the police station, which reportedly produced negative results.
Zakharova also confirmed that the Russian Embassy would continue providing all necessary assistance to the Metropolitan.
