Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev), accused of transporting a white substance in the Czech Republic and harassing an assistant in Hungary, has been reassigned by Patriarch Kirill to serve in Brazil. His new posts are in the churches of Saints Peter and Paul in Santa Rosa and Saint John the Theologian in Campina das Missões.
The Russian Orthodox Church has labeled the detention of Metropolitan Hilarion in the Czech Republic a "gross provocation" and a "blatant provocation" orchestrated by Russia's opponents. Igor Vyzhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate's External Church Relations Department, suggested the incident was a "classic frame-up" involving planted drugs, reflecting the perceived weakness and "moral decay" of Europe.
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called the detention of Metropolitan Hilarion in the Czech Republic a "deliberate and orchestrated frame-up" aimed at damaging his reputation and Orthodox Christianity. Hilarion was detained on false charges, with an alleged unidentified substance found in his car, though a drug test came back negative.
Metropolitan Hilarion denies any involvement after police allegedly found white substance in his car's trunk. He claims it's a provocation, citing prior threats.
Metropolitan Hilarion has denied allegations of possessing illegal substances after his detention in the Czech Republic, calling it a provocation. His lawyers are seeking a fair resolution, while the Russian embassy confirms consular assistance is being provided.
The Russian Embassy in the Czech Republic has been granted consular access to Metropolitan Hilarion, who was detained in Karlovy Vary on charges of possessing prohibited substances. Police found four small containers with a white substance in his car's luggage compartment.
Metropolitan Hilarion has denied allegations of possessing illegal substances following his detention in the Czech Republic, labeling the incident a provocation amidst reports of anonymous threats and pressure on the Orthodox community in Karlovy Vary.
Czech police stopped Metropolitan Hilarion as he left a church, finding four small containers with a white substance in his car. Hilarion denied any connection to illegal drug trafficking, calling it a deliberate provocation. His defense is demanding video evidence and independent forensic analysis.
