Czech police detain Russian Orthodox bishop amid drug probe

Czech police have detained a senior Russian Orthodox cleric after a search of his vehicle uncovered a suspicious substance, an incident that has prompted a formal diplomatic protest from Moscow and accusations of a staged provocation.

Metropolitan Bishop Hilarion, 60, was detained on Sunday evening while traveling from his parish church in the resort town of Karlovy Vary. According to statements from his defense team, police stopped his car without providing a clear reason and proceeded to search it. During the search, officers recovered four small containers containing a white substance from the vehicle's trunk.

The bishop, whose secular name is Grigory Alfeyev, has strongly denied any wrongdoing. In a statement posted to his Telegram channel, he said he has never had any connection to the illegal drug trade and called the suggestion utterly false. He insisted on a full, independent investigation and alleged that police conducted the search without following proper procedure, including by not allowing him to witness it and failing to record the process.

Czech police authorities confirmed they carried out an operation after receiving an anonymous tip regarding the possible...