According to the description of the events on the cleric’s Telegram, Ilarion was detained after leaving the Karlovy Vary Orthodox Church of St. apostles Peter and Paul. In the trunk of his car, the police allegedly found four “small containers with a white substance”.
According to Novinek, Ilarion was detained by the police in Unhošt, Central Bohemia. “I can confirm that we have initiated measures in relation to the vehicle in the Central Bohemia region based on an anonymous tip that drew attention to the transportation of narcotic and psychotropic substances,” said Lucie Šmoldasová, spokeswoman for the NPC National Anti-Drug Headquarters.
“In view of the ongoing criminal proceedings, we cannot now provide additional information or specify the identity of the vehicle’s crew,” she added.
According to information from the public prosecutor’s office in Kladno, no one has been charged yet. “Today, two detained persons are being interrogated. After that, the police authority will decide,” prosecutor Petr Dluhoš told Novinkám.
Ilarion allegedly denies any involvement in illegal possession of prohibited substances and calls the whole incident a provocation. The published contribution also complains about the non-standard procedure of the policemen, who allegedly did not allow the clergyman to be present during the search of the car. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that he knew nothing about the cleric’s detention.
Ilarion moved to Karlovy Vary at the end of 2024 after the Holy Synod retired him. This happened shortly after the publication of evidence that his lifestyle was incompatible with the status of a monk. For example, photos of Ilarion on a yacht or information about the purchase of real estate for his personal ownership became public.
