Former Priest Iakov Vorontsov To Be Sent To Psychiatric Hospital

An investigative court in Almaty has ruled that former Russian Orthodox Church priest Iakov Vorontsov be sent to a psychiatric hospital, Orda.kz reports, citing Azattyq Asia.

According to the outlet, an investigator filed a petition with the court on May 13, asking it to cancel Vorontsov’s detention as a preventive measure and place him in a specialized psychiatric facility. The court granted the request.

For now, the former priest will be sent there for one month, but the term may be extended. The ruling states that the measure will remain in force during the pre-trial investigation. If necessary, the court may extend it for another month or cancel it.

Vorontsov’s defense strongly disagrees with the decision. According to lawyer Galym Nurpeisov, investigators tried to order a psychiatric examination back in April, but the defense refused, exercising its legal right.

Any examination must have grounds. Iakov Vorontsov showed no signs of a mental disorder or suffering,Nurpeisov said.

The lawyer plans to appeal the court’s decision.

He also described the conditions of Vorontsov’s detention in the pre-trial detention center. After the former priest filed a complaint, the employee who shaved his head and beard was disciplined. Vorontsov was also returned his previously seized Bible and prayer beads.

Police detained the former Russian Orthodox Church priest on February 13. He was arrested for 10 days under Article 440-1 of the Administrative Code for illegal drug use. The day before, his home in Almaty was searched at night. According to investigators, three packages containing a banned substance were found there. Vorontsov denied the allegations.

On February 23, Vorontsov was supposed to leave the detention center. Instead of being released, he was taken to the prosecutor’s office for questioning. Later, a criminal case was opened against him under two articles — possession of drugs without intent to sell and maintaining a drug den.

On February 25, the investigative court in Almaty remanded him in custody for two months. In April, his detention was extended until May 23, and the defense’s request to transfer him to house arrest was rejected.

Vorontsov has openly condemned the war in Ukraine and advocated for the creation of an independent autocephalous Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan, not subordinate to Moscow.

He spoke in detail about the idea of autonomy for the Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan in an interview with Orda.kz in summer 2023. That same year, the Russian Orthodox Church defrocked him.

In March 2026, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom included Vorontsov on its list of people persecuted for their religious beliefs.

Original author: Raushan Korzhumbekova

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