Russia Demands Hilarion's Release, Summons Czech Envoy Over Drug Case

9 articles · Updated · Reuters · May 25

Moscow demanded Metropolitan Hilarion's immediate release and said it will summon the Czech mission chief to protest what it called fabricated criminal proceedings.
Czech police searched the former senior Russian Orthodox cleric's car after an anonymous tip; Hilarion said officers found small containers of a white substance and denied any link to them.
Hilarion accused police of procedural violations, saying he was not told why the car was stopped and was barred from witnessing the search, and called for an independent investigation.
The cleric's Telegram statement said the incident followed prolonged pressure on him and his Orthodox community in Karlovy Vary, including anonymous and sometimes violent threats.
Czech police's National Drug Headquarters declined to confirm details of the substance or those involved, citing ongoing criminal proceedings, leaving the case to escalate into a diplomatic dispute.

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