Russian Orthodox cleric caught up in Czech cocaine case sues independent broadcaster TV Rain

Metropolitan Hilarion, a Russian Orthodox cleric, has initiated legal action against the independent broadcaster TV Rain, accusing the channel of damaging his honor, dignity, and reputation. This lawsuit was filed by Hilarion in Moscow’s Ostankinsky District Court on September 9. The court records do not disclose the reason behind the complaint.

Hilarion, who previously headed the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations and was a member of the Synod, the highest governing body of the Russian Orthodox Church, assumed the role of Metropolitan of Budapest and Hungary in 2022. In 2024, allegations of sexual harassment led by his former personal aide, Georgy Suzuki, forced Hilarion to serve as a priest in Karlovy Vary.

In May 2026, Czech police intercepted a car carrying Hilarion and discovered "four small containers with a white substance" inside, which were later confirmed to be cocaine. Despite being detained and later released without charges, Hilarion returned to Russia in late May. There have been reports that Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, intended to dispatch Hilarion to Brazil for service, although the church later clarified that he would remain in Russia.