Riga - A priest was arrested in the Latvian capital Riga on Monday for allegedly helping to smuggle a mobile phone hidden inside a traditional Russian Easter cake into prison, the Baltic News Service reported.

The prison chaplain reportedly passed the celebratory "Kulich" pastry to an inmate at Riga Central Prison along with six eggs and an Easter card on behalf of a relative of the convict, according to information released by the Baltic state's prison service.

Russian Easter cake is traditionally baked for Orthodox Easter, which fell on Sunday and was celebrated by many of Latvia's large Russian minority.

Usually, ingredients include raisins, nuts, honey and sour cream.

A scan of the items revealed the presence of the contraband communicator. Criminal proceedings have been launched against the chaplain for smuggling illegal items to prison inmates. (dpa)