Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of the Russian Orthodox Church arrested in the Czech Republic

Metropolitan Hilarion’s defense has issued an official statement regarding the incident in Karlovy Vary, during which containers with an unknown substance were found in the clergyman’s car and the bishop himself was arrested by Czech police. According to Metropolitan Hilarion in his official address, the defense side considers the incident as a planned provocation and insists on an independent examination and strict compliance with procedural norms.

The incident occurred on May 24, 2026 after the car left the Orthodox Church of the Holy First-Christian Apostles Peter and Paul. According to attorney JUDr. Michal Pacovský, police stopped the car without claiming a traffic violation and immediately proceeded to search the luggage compartment. During the inspection, four containers of white powder were found, the origin of which remains unidentified. Metropolitan Hilarion himself categorically denies involvement in the incident, stating, “For me, as a clergyman, the very suggestion of such a thing is unconditionally false.”

The defense side points to a number of serious irregularities in the police operation. According to the information from the source, the lawyer emphasized that the clergyman was not allowed to observe the search, and the police themselves purposefully went to the trunk, ignoring personal belongings. The defense demands the seizure of video footage of the arrest and a DNA trace test of persons who may have had access to the car earlier.

This incident was preceded by a long period of pressure on the Metropolitan and the Orthodox community. It is reported that in recent months there have been anonymous threats of physical violence related to his ministry at the Moscow Patriarchate church. Currently, Metropolitan Hilarion has expressed his willingness to fully cooperate with the investigation to protect his reputation and establish the truth.

Recall, earlier we reported that the Senate Committee on Security of the Czech Senate called on the government to initiate an audit of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia for cooperation with the Russian Orthodox Church. The committee believes that the CESO, through its cooperation with the Russian Orthodox Church, has fallen under the influence of Russian special services.