Russian Orthodox Cleric Freed After Diplomatic Dispute Between Moscow, Prague
A message posted on Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev’s Telegram account confirmed his release, stating: “Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) … has been released,”
The development came hours after the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Czech Charge d’Affaires Jan Ondrejka in Moscow to express strong objections over the cleric’s detention.
Russian officials rejected allegations reportedly linked to the production and trafficking of narcotic substances, describing the claims as unfounded. The ministry characterized the accusations as “absurd” and “completely groundless.”
Moscow also questioned the circumstances surrounding the police operation, arguing that the detention appeared to have been triggered by an anonymous tip and suggesting that the action was “planned and provocative in nature.”
Before news of the release emerged, Russian authorities had called for Hilarion’s immediate freedom and urged Czech authorities to stop what Moscow described as pressure on representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church operating in the Czech Republic.
The Czech authorities have not publicly commented on the Russian accusations in the reports cited.
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