Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) plans to live in Moscow

Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) has returned to the Russian Federation after a detention incident in the Czech Republic. In the near future, the hierarch intends to reside in Moscow, while the decision on his further church service will be made by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

According to the RIA Novosti portal, the bishop was detained by the Czech police on May 24 together with a videographer on suspicion of possession of drugs, which were allegedly found in his vehicle. However, the metropolitan was released as early as May 26 without charges or additional conditions. Answering questions about his current status, the Metropolitan confirmed: “My place of residence – I have housing in Moscow.”

Metropolitan Hilarion himself categorically denies any involvement in the trafficking of illegal substances, insisting that the drugs were planted on him. He described what happened as a provocation and expressed hope that those responsible for organizing it would be found. The hierarch arrived in Russia on the night of May 29-30 and is now awaiting orders from the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church.

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

Later it became known that Metropolitan Hilarion was released from custody without any charges against him. In view of growing political pressure and fears of repeated provocations against him, Metropolitan Hilarion announced that he was leaving the Czech Republic.