Russia: Detention of Metropolitan Hilarion in Czech Republic a 'set-up'

MOSCOW, May 25. /TASS/. Russia views the detention of Metropolitan Hilarion in the Czech Republic as a set-up aimed at tarnishing his personal reputation and the image of Orthodox Christianity in general, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s official spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said.

"On May 24, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) was detained in the Czech Republic on false charges. Earlier, he was assigned to minister the Church of Saint Peter and Paul in Karlovy Vary," the diplomat said.

"We view this incident as a deliberate and orchestrated frame-up, aimed at tarnishing the metropolitan himself and the Orthodox faith as a whole, which has lately been treated with hostility in the Czech Republic," Zakharova said. "We demand Metropolitan Hilarion’s immediate unconditional release and that this sham case be dropped."

The spokeswoman said that the car in which the cleric was moving was stopped by two Czech Police patrol vehicles.

"During the search, which involved no photo-or video recording and was held without attesting witnesses, an unidentified substance was allegedly found in the trunk," she said. "A personal search of Hilarion and his driver was carried out later, at a police station. A drug test was also carried out, and came back negative."