Russia to summon head of Czech Embassy over detention of Hilarion Alfeyev
Moscow, May 26
The Russian Foreign Ministry is going to summon the head of the Czech diplomatic mission in Moscow in connection with the detention of Hilarion Alfeyev in Karlovy Vary, local media reported on Monday.
Hilarion Alfrey, a retired bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church residing in Czechia, was arrested on Sunday after Czech police found containers with an unspecified substance in the trunk of his car, according to a statement released by the Ministry.
"The Russian Embassy will continue to provide him with all necessary assistance. The head of the Czech diplomatic mission in Moscow will be summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry shortly, where a strong protest will be lodged against the Czech authorities' unacceptable, arbitrary actions," said the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Russia's state-owned Tass news agency reported.
Alfeyev's place of service is designated as the Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul in Karlovy Vary.
The Ministry said he was arrested in the Czech Republic on "trumped-up charges."
According to the statement, the police station conducted a personal search of Hilarion and his driver, and tested them for narcotics (with negative results).
"We regard this incident as a deliberate, orchestrated provocation, with the aim of denigrating both the Metropolitan himself and, through him, Orthodoxy in principle, which has recently been under attack in the Czech Republic," noted the Ministry.
It also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Hilarion Alfrey and the end of the "fabricated investigation".
Hilarion categorically denied involvement in the illegal possession of prohibited substances and considers his arrest a provocation.
Hilarion also noted that he has received frequent anonymous threats, including threats of physical violence, over the past several months, demanding that he leave his place of service.
He is ready to cooperate with the investigation within the law and intends to defend his name, dignity and reputation by all available legal means, Hilarion added, according to his Telegram channel.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The whole thing seems suspicious. They tested him and the driver for drugs - both negative - yet they still arrested him? How can you arrest someone with no evidence of wrongdoing? This looks like a politically motivated move to create trouble for Russia. But I hope due process is followed and truth comes out.
Honestly, I'm not surprised. The West is on a mission to undermine anything Russian - whether it's their culture, religion, or economy. They even threatened him physically for months before this. Czechoslovakia used to be a peaceful place, but now they're just puppet states. 😤
This is concerning from a human rights perspective. A bishop being arrested on flimsy charges after receiving death threats? That's a pattern of harassment. The Russian response seems valid here - they're demanding proper treatment of their citizens. However, India should stay neutral and watch how this unfolds diplomatically.
As someone who follows geopolitics closely, this is clearly a provocation. They've been harassing Orthodox clergy in Eastern Europe for years now. The Czech Republic should release him immediately. Russia is right to protest this. But I also think India should maintain its independent foreign policy on these matters. 🇮🇳
The pattern is clear - first they target Russian diplomats, now religious figures. If they had real evidence, they'd present it. But they didn't find anything except an "unspecified substance" which could be anything from holy water to incense. This is just another propaganda move. Though I wish Russia would be more focused on its own citizens than diplomatic spats.
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