Czech Justice Minister Pavel Blazek resigned on May 30 after public pressure and police investigation into a $45 million Bitcoin gift. The cryptocurrency was donated by Tomas Jirikovsky, a convicted drug trafficker.
The Justice Ministry Czechia sold the 500 Bitcoin in an auction, raising nearly 1 billion Czech koruna. The sale happened before the ministry verified the source of the funds. The donation has now led to a national Bitcoin scandal.
Blazek confirmed the resignation, stating,
“I am not aware of any illegal action. However, I do not wish to damage the reputation of the government or the governing association.”
Bitcoin Gift Linked to Convicted Dark Web Operator Tomas Jirikovsky
In March 2025, Jirikovsky’s lawyer approached the Czech Justice Minister and offered one-third of his Bitcoin holdings to the ministry. The ministry accepted the Bitcoin donation without examining its origin.
The funds were intended for projects such as prison housing improvements, digital justice tools, and drug prevention in jails. However, the source raised concerns after Denik N reported that Jirikovsky previously ran Sheep Marketplace, a dark web platform known for illegal trade.
The platform operated in the early 2010s and was taken down after authorities traced stolen funds. Tomas Jirikovsky was convicted in 2017 for embezzlement, drug trafficking, and weapons charges. He served four years and was released in 2021.
During his trial, Czech police linked his cryptocurrency to Nucleus, another dark web site that was shut down after his arrest. Despite suspicions, Jirikovsky kept over 1,500 Bitcoin after serving his sentence.
Investigation Opened as Prime Minister Distances Government
The donation triggered criticism from opposition parties and led to a police probe into the Bitcoin gift. On May 28, the Justice Ministry Czechia confirmed the Bitcoin sale on its official X account, highlighting the nearly $45 million raised.
Public backlash increased after details of the donor became public. Critics questioned why the ministry accepted a Bitcoin donation from a known criminal. They also asked why the ministry failed to check the source of the cryptocurrency.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala, a political ally of Pavel Blazek, distanced himself from the matter. The decision to accept funds from Tomas Jirikovsky drew scrutiny just four months ahead of legislative elections.
The police are now investigating whether the sold 500 Bitcoin had any criminal ties. No charges have been filed, and the ministry has not confirmed whether funds will be returned or frozen.
New Czech Law Regulates Crypto Under EU’s MiCA Framework
The resignation follows a new law signed by President Petr Pavel on February 6, 2025. The legislation aligns Czechia’s digital asset rules with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation.
The law simplifies cryptocurrency tax reporting and sets clear rules for institutions dealing with digital assets. It also aims to close legal gaps in how assets like Bitcoin are handled in the country.
The case involving Pavel Blazek, the Justice Ministry Czechia, and the Bitcoin donation from Tomas Jirikovsky has become the first major test of how these new rules are applied. Czech authorities have not commented on whether the donation violated any part of the MiCA-aligned framework.
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