Moscow Patriarchate and Russian Foreign Ministry spoke in defense of Metropolitan Hilarion after his detention in the Czech Republic

The Moscow Patriarchate and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation have expressed sharp protest over the detention in the Czech Republic of Metropolitan Hilarion, in whose car Czech police allegedly found narcotic substances. The Russian side characterized the incident as a “planned provocation” and “illegal criminal prosecution” and demanded legal protection for the hierarch.

According to Orthodox Times, the incident took place on May 24 in Karlovy Vary during a traffic check. Metropolitan Hilarion, who has been in retirement since December 2024 by decision of the Holy Synod, has categorically denied any involvement with illegal substances. Through his lawyers, he has already requested a “full and independent investigation” into the circumstances of the case.

The Synodal Department for Relations between the Church and Society and the Media of the Russian Orthodox Church issued an official statement expressing serious concern about the actions of the Czech authorities. The ROC emphasized that clergymen legally residing in the territory of the European Union countries should be protected from unlawful actions, and the detention process itself raised reasonable questions among lawyers about the observance of procedural norms.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the incident a “deliberately staged provocation” aimed at discrediting not only the metropolitan, but Orthodoxy as a whole. According to the Foreign Ministry, the car was searched without the participation of independent witnesses and without photo or video recording. In addition, Zakharova said that Metropolitan Hilarion and his driver underwent a medical examination, which showed negative results for the presence of drugs in the body.

The Russian embassy in the Czech Republic is currently providing the metropolitan with all the necessary consular and legal support. The Moscow Patriarchate also intends to take all measures provided for by law to protect the rights of its hierarch.