PRAGUE – Czech Justice Minister Pavel Blažek (ODS, ECR) has resigned following a scandal involving a €40 million “donation” of bitcoins from a convicted drug dealer.
Blažek claims he acted legally but resigned to limit damage to the government. The donation — about 468 bitcoins — came from Tomáš Jiříkovský, who had previously served a prison sentence for running an illegal online drug market and stealing bitcoins. Although the courts were unable to prove that the cryptocurrency had criminal origins, suspicions led to an investigation into possible money laundering, abuse of power, and drug-related crimes.
“I am not aware of any illegal activity,” Blažek wrote on X, but criticism came from across the political spectrum. Interior Minister Vít Rakušan (STAN, EPP) called the transaction “highly unusual” and damaging to the government’s image. Authorities froze the bitcoins to block further transfers.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS, ECR) welcomed the resignation and promised a quick replacement. A successor has not yet been named.
The scandal prompted an extraordinary session of parliament on June 5, where opposition parties called for the government's resignation, although this remains unlikely given the coalition's solid majority.
Source: Source
