The Russian Foreign Ministry has announced it will summon the head of the Czech diplomatic mission in Moscow following the arrest of retired Russian Orthodox Church bishop Hilarion Alfeyev in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, on Sunday, 25 May 2025. Czech police reportedly detained Alfeyev after discovering containers with an unspecified substance in the boot of his car, according to a ministry statement.

What Led to the Arrest

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry's account, Czech police conducted a personal search of Hilarion Alfeyev and his driver at a police station, including narcotics testing — the results of which came back negative. The substance found in the car has not been publicly identified by Czech authorities. Alfeyev, a retired bishop residing in Czechia, serves at the Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul in Karlovy Vary.

Moscow's Strong Protest

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the Russian Embassy would continue providing Alfeyev with all necessary assistance. 'The head of the Czech diplomatic mission in Moscow will be summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry shortly, where a strong protest will be lodged against the Czech authorities' unacceptable, arbitrary actions,' Zakharova said. Moscow has characterised the arrest as being based on 'trumped-up charges' and demanded Alfeyev's 'immediate and unconditional release,' calling for an end to what it described as a 'fabricated investigation.'

Russia Calls It a 'Deliberate Provocation'

The Russian Foreign Ministry went further, framing the incident as a targeted political act. 'We regard this incident as a deliberate, orchestrated provocation, with the aim of denigrating both the Metropolitan himself and, through him, Orthodoxy in principle, which has recently been under attack in the Czech Republic,' the ministry stated. The language signals that Moscow views the detention not merely as a legal matter but as part of a broader pattern of pressure on the Russian Orthodox Church in Central Europe.

Alfeyev Denies the Charges, Cites Threats

Alfeyev has categorically denied any involvement in the illegal possession of prohibited substances and has called his arrest a provocation. According to his Telegram channel, he also disclosed that he had received frequent anonymous threats — including threats of physical violence — over the past several months, with demands that he vacate his place of service. He stated he is prepared to cooperate with the investigation within the bounds of the law and intends to defend his 'name, dignity and reputation by all available legal means.'

Diplomatic Fallout and What Comes Next

The summoning of a diplomatic envoy is a formal escalation in bilateral relations and signals that Russia intends to pursue the matter at the state level. Russia–Czech Republic ties have been strained for several years, most sharply since the 2021 expulsion of Russian diplomats over the Vrbetice ammunition depot blast. This latest incident adds a religious and cultural dimension to an already fraught relationship. Czech authorities have not publicly responded to Moscow's characterisation of the arrest as of the time of reporting. The outcome of the Czech investigation — and whether Prague chooses to engage diplomatically — will determine how quickly this dispute escalates further.