Metropolitan Hilarion leaves Czech Republic after detention

Metropolitan Hilarion (Grigory Alfeyev). Photo: Viktor Drachev / TASS

On May 27, 2026, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of the Russian Orthodox Church announced that he had left the Czech Republic following his recent detention by local law enforcement authorities. According to the hierarch, he fears that similar incidents could occur again, TASS reported.

“For now, I am out of the Czech Republic. Having seen how easily such things are done, I fear the same story could happen again,” the Metropolitan said in an interview with the agency.

Met. Hilarion also stated that he intends to inform Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ about all the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“I plan to report all the circumstances of what happened to His Holiness, and after that – it will be up to him to decide,” he said.

Metropolitan Hilarion had previously been detained in the Czech Republic together with his driver. According to local media reports, police action was prompted by the discovery of several containers containing a white substance in his vehicle. The cleric was later released without bail, travel restrictions, or any other procedural obligations.

Following his release, the hierarch rejected allegations of involvement in the possession of prohibited substances and described his detention as a provocation. His legal team stated that it intends to seek a review of the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Czech authorities had released Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of the Russian Orthodox Church.

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