Court hearing for ex-priest Iakov Vorontsov collapses in Almaty

September 11, 2026 at 04:06 PM2 min

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The main hearing in the case of former priest Iakov Vorontsov, scheduled for September 11 in Almaty's Medeu District Court No. 2, did not take place. No new date has been set. Vorontsov was detained in February on suspicion of organizing a drug den.

Key Facts

The hearing was scheduled for September 11 at Medeu District Court No. 2 in Almaty.
Vorontsov was detained in Almaty on February 13 on suspicion of organizing a drug den.
On August 17, Vorontsov wrote that he was suffering from an exacerbation of a chronic leg condition — a trophic ulcer and post-thrombophlebitis — and requested medical help in the detention facility.
In 2024, Vorontsov was banned from ministry and defrocked by the Russian Orthodox Church.
A day before his detention, Vorontsov filed a lawsuit against the Almaty Justice Department and the Ministry of Justice challenging the refusal to register his religious association.

Hearing Collapse

The main hearing in the case of former priest Iakov Vorontsov did not take place on September 11 at Medeu District Court No. 2 in Almaty. The session was to be held openly, but no new date has been set. Vorontsov's lawyer, Galym Nurpeisov, had confirmed the September 11 date to Ulysmedia.kz.

Detention and Health

Vorontsov was detained in Almaty on February 13 on suspicion of organizing a drug den. The investigation was completed and the case reached the court. Shortly before the trial was announced, Vorontsov reported health problems. In a letter dated August 17, he wrote about an exacerbation of a chronic leg condition — a trophic ulcer and post-thrombophlebitis — and said he was in severe pain and could not sleep. He requested medical assistance in the detention facility.

Background and Legal Disputes

Iakov Vorontsov was a hieromonk of the Astana and Almaty diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. He later publicly criticized the Russian authorities and the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church, and opposed the war in Ukraine. In 2024, he was banned from ministry and defrocked. A case of inciting discord was previously investigated in Kazakhstan but was closed due to the absence of a crime. Vorontsov tried to register a religious association in Kazakhstan independent of the Moscow Patriarchate. A day before his detention, he filed a lawsuit against the Almaty Justice Department and the Ministry of Justice challenging the refusal to register.