Czechia refuses to extend the residence permit of Archpriest Nikolai Lishenyuk, aged 51, who served in Karlovy Vary from 2006 to 2022
Although the Czech security services have presented no evidence of any political activity on the part of Fr Nikolai, they accuse him of creating some kind of structure of influence with the support of Russian state bodies, and of posing a potential threat to the security of the state.
Archpriest Nikolai's residence permit was initially revoked in August 2023. He contested the decision through the courts, all the way up to the Constitutional Court, which ultimately rejected his appeals in June. The court ordered Archpriest Nikolai Lishenyuk to leave the country within 30 days.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security of Czechia and the Czech Senate held a closed session in July, after which it was announced that the authorities would examine the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church for involvement in "sabotage activities against the Czech Republic".
In September 2023, the head of the ROC representation in Sofia, Archimandrite Vassian (Zmeyev), was likewise forced to leave Bulgaria on the grounds of a threat to national security.
In February this year, Metropolitan Eugene of Tallinn was forced to leave Estonia; he too was refused an extension of his residence permit.
