Future Czech Prime Minister Babiš Supported Sanctions Against The Head Of The Russian Orthodox Church In The Country

• 3.11.2025, 14:20

Metropolitan Hilarion may have been linked to Russian intelligence services.

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Czech Republic Hilarion may be put on the national sanctions list, likely future prime minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) has said he would agree with such a move.

This is reported by "European Pravda".

Metropolitan Hilarion is currently working in Karlovy Vary. Recently, the media published a story about his ties to Russian intelligence services.

In this regard, the outgoing government of Petr Fiala is considering imposing sanctions on the clergyman, sources told the publication.

"All bodies of the Czech state carefully monitor hostile actions of foreign agents and always act in accordance with Czech law. Representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church are no exception, but I will not and cannot comment on specific cases," Fiala said when asked about Hilarion's inclusion in the sanctions list.

In turn, European Affairs Minister Martin Dvorak said that a person like Hilarion should be under sanctions.

Interior Minister Vit Rakushan did not rule out Hilarion's inclusion on the sanctions list.

"I don't want to talk publicly about inclusion on the sanctions list. It is always announced after the government approves it, so that all the measures that follow from the inclusion in the list can be taken before that," he said.