Czech Minister of Justice Pavel Blazek dropped following a scandal on selling his ministry of nearly $ 45 million worth of Bitcoin provided by a alleged drug trafficker.
Controversy exploded on May 28 after ministry Na -Post In X it raised close to 1 billion Czech Coruna (approximately $ 45 million) by auctioning off nearly 500 Bitcoin (Btc).
The funds are marked for projects such as the justice system, resistance to drug use in prisons, and improving housing for prison staff.
However, the Czech News Outlet Denik n revealed That cryptocurrency came from Tomas Jirikovsky, a convicted criminal behind the sheep market, a dark web platform that was known to sell illegal goods.
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Czech minister accepts the Bitcoin donation
In March, Jirikovsky’s lawyer approached Blazek, offering one-third of Bitcoin as a donation to the justice ministry. Blazek accepted without trying the cryptocurrency source.
“I have no way to inspect this thing, and I’m not interested in many years after the case,” he Says At a Thursday conference, suggesting a donation reflects Jirikovsky’s desire to “repent.”
However, public shouting has grown in the lack of appropriate hard work. Opposition leaders are labeled as a scandal, and police have now launched an investigation into the origin of Bitcoin.
Jirikovsky was punished in 2017 for losses, drug violations, and weapons violation. Since released from prison in 2021, he has sought to get 1,500 Bitcoin seized at the time of his arrest.
During his trial, Czech authorities suspected that the funds were linked to the nucleus, another dark web marketplace closed after the arrest of Jirikovsky. Despite this, he maintained bitcoin legally, allowing him to maintain it after serving his sentence.
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Blazek resigns after pressure mounted
Dealing with the pressure mounting and the legislative election is just four months away, Prime Minister Petr Fiala has turned himself away from Blazek, a long-term political ally.
Subsequently, Blazek resigned on May 30. “I do not know any illegal action. However, I do not want to ruin the reputation of the government or the government’s management,” he said in his statement.
On February 6, Czech president Petr Pavel signed a “landmark” cryptocurrency law In law, Czechia provides regulatory clarity on digital assets that align with greater laws in the European Union.
New Law simplifies Crypto tax policies and EU is enforced Crypto-Assets markets (MICA) regulation “in a way that supports the change and development of the entire industry.”
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