Russia: Detention of Metropolitan Hilarion in Czech Republic a 'set-up'
Quick Look
- 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.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Metropolitan Hilarion was assigned to minister the Church of Saint Peter and Paul in Karlovy Vary. He was detained by Czech Police, who allegedly found an unidentified substance in his car. A drug test for Hilarion and his driver came back negative.
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."
Open Questions
- What is the unidentified substance allegedly found?
- What are the specific "false charges" against Metropolitan Hilarion?
- What is the basis for Russia's claim that this is a "set-up"?
- What is the current status of Metropolitan Hilarion's detention?
