Russian Orthodox Metropolitan Ilarion Returns to Moscow After Drug Suspicion Detention in Czech Republic

A Russian Orthodox Church metropolitan was detained in the Czech Republic on suspicion of drug smuggling but released without charge after two days. Ilarion flew back to Moscow on a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul on the night of May 30.

A Russian Orthodox Church metropolitan has returned to Moscow following an incident in the Czech Republic where he was detained on suspicion of drug smuggling. According to RIA Novosti, he landed at Moscow airport on a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul on the morning of May 30.

Czech authorities detained the metropolitan and held him for two days. Ilarion was ultimately released without formal charges. The precise details of the incident and what exactly was found in his luggage or bag have not been publicly confirmed.

Ilarion is one of the most prominent hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church and has been associated with conveying Russia's foreign policy positions on the international stage. His detention in the Czech Republic drew widespread attention in both ecclesiastical and diplomatic circles.