The former head of external relations for the Russian Orthodox Church, has denied claims of spying and sexual misconduct made by a former aide, insisting he has “never worked for any intelligence agency.”

Once seen as a potential successor to Patriarch Kirill, Metropolitan Hilarion was removed from his post after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He neither supported nor opposed the war, a stance many believe led to his exile to Hungary and later reassignment to the Czech Republic.

The allegations come from 23-year-old George Suzuki, who worked for him in Budapest and has released videos and audio clips accusing him of harassment and collaboration with the Federal Security Service (FSB). Hilarion said some recordings have been doctored and will be challenged in court. He has also claimed Suzuki and his grandmother attempted to extort large sums of money and were involved in thefts investigated by Hungarian police.

The Czech government is now considering sanctions against Hilarion, raising the possibility that he may be forced to leave the country.

His supporters fear he has been used a political pawn. Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams told the BBC: “Given the way Putin’s regime operates, it would hardly be surprising if there had been a determination to make sure his reputation was damaged in whatever ways could be arranged.”