Czech police free Russian Orthodox cleric detained over white substance in car
Czech police have released a Russian Orthodox cleric, Metropolitan Hilarion, after detaining him for possessing a white powder in his car. He denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the substance was confirmed as banned, while the investigation continues. The Russian Foreign Ministry protested his detention and demanded his release.
- ▪Metropolitan Hilarion was detained by Czech police after a search of his car revealed small containers of white powder.
- ▪He has denied any connection to the substance and criticized the police for their search procedures.
- ▪The Russian Orthodox Church previously relieved Hilarion of his duties due to allegations of sexual harassment and luxury spending.
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Czech police free Russian Orthodox cleric detained over white substance in carSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxFILE PHOTO: Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate's external relations department Metropolitan Hilarion, whose secular name is Grigory Alfeyev, takes part in an awarding ceremony led by Russia's President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, February 2, 2022. Sputnik/Alexei Nikolsky/Pool via REUTERSPublished May 26, 2026, 10:34 PMUpdated May 26, 2026, 10:34 PMMay 26 - A Russian Orthodox cleric has been released without charge by authorities in the Czech Republic after being detained when police found small containers of white powder in his car.Metropolitan Hilarion, who headed the church's external relations from 2009 to 2022, has denied any…
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