On May 24, 2026, it became known about the arrest by the police of the Czech Republic of Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev), hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, who retired and served in the church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Karlovy Vary. In this regard, the Synodal Department for Church Relations with Society and the Media states the following.
The clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church who are lawfully located in the territory of the member States of the European Union enjoy all the rights and freedoms provided for in EU documents, including those that must be protected from unlawful criminal prosecution.
The actions of the Czech law enforcement agencies raise legitimate questions from lawyers in terms of legality and compliance with procedural rules.
We call on the investigating authorities and the courts of the Czech Republic to ensure that all the rights of Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) are respected. For its part, the Russian Orthodox Church will take all measures provided for by law to provide legal assistance to the said cleric.