Czech Government Looks to Ban Met. Hilarion Alfeyev
The Czech government is set to sanction Russian Orthodox leader Metropolitan Hilarion for alleged FSB espionage ties, with both the outgoing administration and incoming PM Andrej Babiš in rare agreement on the move.
PRAGUE — The Czech government is poised to impose sanctions on Metropolitan Hilarion, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in the country, amid revelations of his connections to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), according to multiple reports.
Sources close to the outgoing administration of Prime Minister Petr Fiala told Deník N that Hilarion, based in Karlovy Vary, faces inclusion on the national sanctions list due to his alleged espionage links. Fiala declined to comment on specifics but affirmed that authorities are vigilant against foreign agents, including Russian Orthodox representatives.
Interior Minister Vít Rakušan and European Affairs Minister Martin Dvořák expressed support for the measure, with Dvořák stating outright that "a person like Hilarion should be sanctioned." The move echoes a failed attempt last year to sanction him.
Andrej Babiš, leader of the election-winning ANO party and likely next prime minister, endorsed the proposal in a statement to Deník N: "We agree. But ask the current government—they're still in power."
Hilarion, formerly a top Moscow Patriarchate official, holds Hungarian citizenship since 2022, granting him EU mobility. Last year, under his leadership, the Czech branch transferred assets to a Hungarian diocese amid sanction fears.
This development follows Prague's September ban on unaccredited Russian diplomats, heightening tensions over Russian influence in Central Europe.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Met. Hilarion was removed from his post at the Budapest-Hungarian Eparchy due to allegations of impropriety.
