In March 2025, the Czech Ministry of Justice received a donation of 468 Bitcoins, valued at around $45 million, from Tomáš Jiřikovský, a convicted criminal known for operating the dark web marketplace “Sheep Marketplace.” Jiřikovský had been imprisoned in 2017 for embezzlement, drug trafficking, and illegal arms possession. After his release in 2021, he sought to reclaim the Bitcoins seized during his arrest. In exchange for assistance in unlocking the seized electronics containing the Bitcoin wallets, Jiřikovský offered the ministry a portion of the assets. Justice Minister Pavel Blažek accepted the donation without verifying its origin, believing it to be an act of repentance by Jiřikovský. (en.wikipedia.org)
The revelation of the donation’s source led to widespread criticism. Opposition parties accused the government of potential money laundering and demanded the resignation of Blažek. Facing mounting pressure, Blažek resigned on May 30, 2025, stating that he had approved the donation without verifying its origin but denied any illegal actions. (en.wikipedia.org)
Assistance with token financing
An independent audit by Grant Thornton concluded that the Ministry of Justice should not have accepted the Bitcoin donation, as it likely originated from criminal proceeds. The auditors criticized the ministry for failing to assess the legal and reputational risks associated with the donation, highlighting a serious governance lapse. (cryptopolitan.com)
Despite the scandal, Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s government survived a no-confidence vote on June 18, 2025. The motion, filed by the opposition ANO party, was rejected by 98 of the 192 MPs. (coindesk.com)
In August 2025, Czech police arrested Jiřikovský in connection with the Bitcoin donation, expanding the investigation to include money laundering and drug trafficking charges. (coindesk.com)
The scandal has had a lasting impact on Czech politics, raising questions about the government’s handling of cryptocurrency donations and its commitment to due diligence in financial matters.
Be the first to comment