In a startling turn of events, Petr Fantom, a 44-year-old Czech volunteer who goes by the alias “The Phantom,” has been detained by Ukrainian authorities. Fantom gained widespread attention for his tireless efforts in raising funds to support Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia. However, beneath the veneer of philanthropy, a complex web of personal financial issues and a mysterious fugitive status have come to light.

Petr Fantom’s involvement in humanitarian work appeared noble at first glance. On the “For a Free Ukraine” website, he portrayed himself as a Czech living in Ukraine who had facilitated the transportation of more than 350 tonnes of humanitarian aid to perilous front-line regions and assisted in evacuating numerous individuals and pets. He proudly declared to have collected over CZK 3 million (Czech koruna) for the Ukrainian cause, providing multiple avenues for well-wishers to contribute.

Nonetheless, investigations led by Seznam Zprav have revealed a different, more perplexing side of this story. “Petr Fantom” is, in fact, Petr Stoja, a man who had been evading Czech authorities since January 2019 when he was declared a fugitive. The reasons behind the fugitive status remain undisclosed by the police, but a trail of 46 foreclosure cases amounting to over CZK 2.6 million has been uncovered in public records.

The Ministry of Justice’s spokesperson, Vladimír Řepka, confirmed Stoja’s detention in Ukraine and the ministry’s request for his pre-trial detention with a view to extradition to the Czech Republic. Stoja’s exact duration of custody in Ukraine remains uncertain.

Stoja’s arrest in Ukraine unfolded in the vicinity of Volovets, near Mukachevo in western Ukraine, during the early hours of a Wednesday morning. A Czech volunteer named Kateřina, who had known Stoja for approximately two months, was present during the apprehension. She described the situation as follows: “Petr was driving me from Mykolayiv to Uzhhorod, where I wanted to cross the border into Slovakia and fly home from Košice. It was at the third checkpoint when they stopped us and identified him.”

Initially, Kateřina believed that Stoja’s detention was due to his erratic behavior, but her shock intensified when the police showed her an Interpol screenshot, indicating that Stoja was wanted. She spent the night at the police station, and Stoja was subsequently ordered into custody by the court.

Stoja’s lawyer refrained from making an official statement without the client’s consent, leaving unanswered questions about the real motivations behind his fundraising efforts and his enigmatic fugitive status. As the legal proceedings unfold, the fate of “The Phantom” remains shrouded in uncertainty, casting a shadow over his remarkable philanthropic endeavors for Ukraine.

Article by Prague Forum