Scandal: Former altar boy speaks out about ties between Hungarian Deputy PM Semjén and Russian church leader accused of sexual harassment

New details have emerged regarding Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev’s activities in Hungary. The Russian Orthodox Church removed him from his post as head of the Budapest and Hungarian diocese following allegations of sexual harassment. His former altar boy and assistant, George Suzuki, has now spoken in detail to the Russian opposition outlet The Insider Russia about the case.

Regular meetings with Zsolt Semjén

According to Suzuki, Metropolitan Hilarion frequently met high-ranking Hungarian government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén, with whom he reportedly had “roughly monthly” meetings, all held in informal settings. The two were allegedly on such close terms that they would often invite each other to their homes, investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi reported, citing The Insider Russia’s article.

Suzuki recounted one occasion when he personally served tea at Hilarion’s residence for Semjén and his wife. The woman reportedly enjoyed the Japanese sweets he had prepared so much that she even asked for the recipe.

• 18+: Hilarion, head of Russian Orthodoxy in Hungary, accused of sexual misconduct

Links to the Russian Embassy and Hungarian politicians

The former assistant also claimed that the metropolitan held monthly consultations with the Russian ambassador and met embassy staff on a weekly basis. Suzuki said Hilarion also met Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on several occasions, some of which he personally witnessed.

He alleged that these meetings usually took place behind closed doors, but that Hilarion would later share details with his subordinates. According to Suzuki, topics discussed included the settlement of Russian businessmen and oligarchs in Hungary, the promotion of their investments, and ways to ease or circumvent sanctions. These conversations reportedly concerned “multi-million-euro deals”.

Suzuki also stated that Hilarion played an active role in preventing Patriarch Kirill from being placed on the EU sanctions list — a move in which Hungary’s diplomatic veto proved instrumental.

Privileges and a life of luxury in Hungary