MOSCOW, May 25. /TASS/. Russia’s Orthodox Church views the detention of Metropolitan Hilarion in the Czech Republic as a gross provocation, Deputy Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s External Church Relations Department Igor Vyzhanov said.

"The situation looks like a blatant provocation. What’s striking is its primitive, clumsy nature. It looks like a classic frame-up: it’s common knowledge that planting drugs is a favorite tactic of unscrupulous law enforcement officers around the world," he told TASS, adding that the use of such underhanded tactics by Russia’s opponents reveals their weakness.

"Despite these attempts, Russia and the Russian Orthodox Church still undoubtedly appear to be the most robust force, especially against the backdrop of the total moral decay currently prevailing in Europe," he emphasized.