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Czech Police Detain, Release Orthodox Bishop; Russia Decries Provocation

5/27/2026

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Metropolitan Hilarion Detained

Russia’s Foreign Ministry called the detention of Metropolitan Hilarion an orchestrated provocation.
Czech police detained Metropolitan Hilarion on a highway between Karlovy Vary and Prague and released him without charges.
Czech Drug Enforcement Center said stop followed an anonymous tip on narcotic and psychotropic substances.
He headed Hungarian Orthodox diocese, was suspended in 2024 sexual-harassment, and moved to Karlovy Vary.

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Hilarion Detained

The Czech coalition government approved an amendment tightening rules for Ukrainian refugees, citing alleged aid abuse.
Russian Orthodox Bishop Grigory Alfeyev Hilarion was detained in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, and released without charge.
A former aide alleged sexual-misconduct, which Hilarion denied, saying the aide tried to extort €384,000.
He has not publicly commented on the Ukraine war amid heightened scrutiny of his actions.

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Metropolitan Hilarion Detained

Russia’s Foreign Ministry called the detention of Metropolitan Hilarion an orchestrated provocation.
Czech police detained Metropolitan Hilarion on a highway between Karlovy Vary and Prague and released him without charges.
Czech Drug Enforcement Center said stop followed an anonymous tip on narcotic and psychotropic substances.
He headed Hungarian Orthodox diocese, was suspended in 2024 sexual-harassment, and moved to Karlovy Vary.

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