Russia puts ex-priest Kurmoyarov on wanted list
The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has issued a warrant for the arrest of former priest Ivan Kormoyarov of the Russian Orthodox Church, according to Mediazona.
Consensus
- The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) has placed former hieromonk Ioann Kurmoyarov on a wanted list.
- Kurmoyarov was previously sentenced to three years in prison in 2023 for spreading false information about the Russian military.
- He was released on August 1, 204, after serving his full sentence, including time spent in pre-trial detention.
- After his release, Kurmoyarov left Russia.
- The exact charges for which he is now wanted are not specified in any of the sources.
- Kurmoyarov was added to the register of foreign agents in August 2025.
Points of divergence
- The video that prompted the initial investigation was titled 'Who will be in hell, and who in heaven?' and included a critique of Vladimir Putin's statement about martyrs going to heaven. — tg_tvrain
- Kurmoyarov criticized the main church of the Russian Armed Forces in 2020 and submitted a complaint to the Investigative Committee against former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in 2021 regarding war-themed frescoes in the 'Patriot' park. — tg_currenttime
- Kurmoyarov was declared a foreign agent in 2025. — tg_currenttime
- The initial case was based on four videos posted on VKontakte where Kurmoyarov criticized Russia's war with Ukraine. — mediazona
- The article in the MVD database states that Kurmoyarov is wanted under a criminal code article, but does not specify the charge. — vm
Coverage (4 sources)
- MVD declared priest Kurmoyarov in wanted — Вечерняя Москва
- Formerly convicted for military "fake news" hieromonk Ioann Kurmoyarov declared wanted — Дождь (Telegram)
- Russia has issued a warrant for former priest Ioann Kurmoiyarov — Настоящее Время
- Hieromonk John Kurmojarov declared wanted — Медиазона