Police in the Czech Republic detained Metropolitan Hilarion of the Russian Orthodox Church: cocaine was found in his car
4 June 17:42
In the Czech Republic, police detained Metropolitan Hilarion of the Russian Orthodox Church after receiving an email report of suspicious activity near Prague.
The police reported this to Denik N, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
It is reported that during a search of the metropolitan’s car, law enforcement officers found three small bags containing white powder. An analysis confirmed that the substance was cocaine.
Reaction and Consequences
After his arrest, Metropolitan Hilarion was released two days later and is currently in Moscow. He stated that the media is portraying him “as a Russian agent.”
“We can confirm that the forensic analysis proved: the seized white powder is cocaine. We are talking about a few grams that we found in the car and seized,” the police reported.
According to Radio Free Europe’s Russian service, Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill issued a special decree stating that, due to “objective circumstances,” Metropolitan Hilarion can no longer serve in the Czech Republic. He has been reassigned to serve in the South American Diocese.
“Your place of ministry is designated as the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in the city of Santa Rosa, Brazil, as well as the Church of Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist in the city of Campina-das-Missões, Brazil, where you are to reside,” reads the special decree.
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What is known about Metropolitan Hilarion
Ilarion previously headed the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate and was considered one of the leading candidates for the post of the next Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. However, in June 2022, he was removed from this position. Later, in late 2024, he was dismissed from his post as head of the Budapest-Hungarian Diocese due to allegations of sexual harassment.
In July 2013, fugitive President Viktor Yanukovych awarded Ilarion the Order of Merit, Third Class. In January 2023, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacted a decision by the National Security and Defense Council to impose sanctions against Metropolitan Ilarion and strip him of his state awards.
In 2025, Czech media reported that Ilarion had ties to Russian intelligence agencies. Specifically, the media circulated a video showing the priest shooting at targets at a shooting range with a weapon used by FSB officers. Following this, the Czech Republic considered imposing sanctions against the Russian priest.
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