On May 24, Czech law enforcement officials stopped and searched a vehicle belonging to Hilarion, the Metropolitan of the Czech branch of the Russian Orthodox Church, in Karlovy Vary. During the inspection, authorities discovered four small containers containing a white substance of unknown origin.
The police initiated the stop as Hilarion was leaving the Church of Saints Peter and Paul. The containers were confiscated for further analysis, as law enforcement suspects that the Metropolitan may be involved in drug possession.
Hilarion and his legal representatives have firmly denied any allegations related to drug possession. In a statement on his Telegram channel, the Metropolitan expressed his intention to contest the charges.
According to reports from DW, Hilarion was previously removed from his position overseeing the Budapest-Hungarian Diocese in 2025 following allegations of harassment, which he also denied. After his dismissal, he was reassigned to the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Karlovy Vary. During his time in Hungary, he acquired Hungarian citizenship and actively promoted the interests of the Russian Orthodox Church and Patriarch Kirill.
Czech authorities have halted Metropolitan Hilarion of the Russian Orthodox Church amid suspicions of drug possession, following the discovery of four containers in his vehicle. Hilarion has denied the allegations and previously faced accusations of harassment before being reassigned to his current position.