He had seized control of the monastery and, according to his lawyer, had been accused of driving Children to commit suicide.

Footage posted online showed a melee of riot police on people shouting outside the convent during the operation.

Father Sergei, whose real name is Nikolai Romanov, gained prominence earlier this year after denying the existence of the co vid 19 pandemic.

Hey seized control of the threatened the Ural Ski Women's Monastery in the Euros in June on refused to leave.

Known for wearing long dark robes, Father Sergei was formally cast out of the church in September for openly ignoring a ban on him, holding services and preaching, according to the commerce and newspaper.

His lawyer confirmed his detention and said Father Sergei had been charged with encouraging minors to take their own lives.

The case against him may relate to a YouTube video in which he called on his followers to die for Russia.

A spokesman for the Russian Orthodox Church said.