Russia summons Czech chargé d’affaires over detention of retired bishop VIDEO

The Russian Foreign Ministry has summoned the Czech Republic’s chargé d’affaires amid reports surrounding the detention of retired Orthodox bishop Metropolitan Hilarion in Karlovy Vary.

The diplomat entered the ministry building without commenting to the press and left about 10 minutes later, also without making statements, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Earlier, Czech police detained Metropolitan Hilarion following an anonymous report alleging that he was transporting narcotics in his vehicle.

The metropolitan denied the allegations, saying he had no connection to illegal substances and describing the incident as a provocation.

According to him, the detention followed a prolonged period of pressure on him and the Orthodox community in Karlovy Vary, including anonymous threats demanding that he leave the area.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov