ROC Metropolitan Hilarion detained in Czechia allegedly for drug possession
Kyiv • UNN
An ROC Metropolitan was detained in Czechia due to a suspicious substance in his car trunk. The priest denies any guilt and claims he had received prior political threats.
A Metropolitan of the ROC (Russian Orthodox Church) was detained by police in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, after four containers presumably containing drugs were found in the trunk of a car. The priest reported this on Telegram, according to UNN.
Details
It is noted that the incident occurred on May 24 after he left the territory of the Orthodox Church of Saints Peter and Paul. According to available information, the car in which the Metropolitan was traveling with an accompanying person was stopped by the police.
After the stop, law enforcement officers conducted an inspection of the vehicle. During the search, four small containers with a white substance were found in the trunk of the car. Its composition, origin, and nature have not yet been established and are to be determined through forensic examination.
The Metropolitan's lawyer claimed possible procedural violations during the search, particularly regarding the procedure for stopping the car and the recording of investigative actions, while the clergyman himself denies all allegations.
A Telegram channel associated with the Metropolitan claims that in recent months he has received threats from unknown persons who allegedly demanded that he leave his place of service. It is also noted that these threats appeared to be political in nature.
Czech law enforcement agencies have not yet released official findings regarding the discovered substance and have not reported any charges filed.