After a scandal involving the ministry’s purchase of Bitcoin worth $45,000,000 from a convicted drug dealer, Czech Justice Minister Pavel Blazek announced his resignation.
After the ministry released a statement on May 28, a controversy broke out. posted On X it said that they had raised nearly 45,000,000 dollars ($1 billion) through the sale of 500 Bitcoins (BTC).
Funds were allocated for projects like digitizing justice, fighting drug abuse in prisons and improving housing facilities for prison personnel.
Denik N is a Czech newspaper that reports on the news. revealed It was revealed that Tomas Jirikovsky is the criminal who created Sheep Marketplace – a notorious dark web marketplace for illegal products.
Related: Czech to explore new assets, skips Bitcoin as $7B BTC reserve faces criticism
Czech Minister Accepts Bitcoin Donation
Jirikovsky’s attorney approached Blazek in March and offered a third of the Bitcoin to the Justice Ministry as a gift. Blazek took the Bitcoin without checking its origins.
“I have no way to investigate the matter, and I wasn’t interested so many years after the case,” He said At a press conference on Thursday, Jirikovsky suggested that the donation was a reflection of his desire to help others. “repent.”
Public outcry increased over the lack of diligence in this particular transaction. It was branded a scandal by opposition leaders, and now police have launched an inquiry into Bitcoin’s source.
Jirikovsky, a Russian national, was sentenced to prison in 2017 after being convicted of drug trafficking and weapon violations. Since being released from prison in 2021, he has been seeking to reclaim 1,500 Bitcoin seized at the time of his arrest.
In his trial, Czech officials suspected that funds had been linked to Nucleus. This dark-web marketplace was shut down shortly after Jirikovsky was arrested. Even so, Jirikovsky maintained the Bitcoins were acquired legally and that he could keep them after serving his prison sentence.
Related: Czech National Bank governor to propose $7B Bitcoin reserve plan
Blazek leaves after pressure mounts
With legislative elections only four months away and mounting pressure, Petr Fiala, a former political ally, distanced himself.
Blazek later resigned, on May 30, 2003. “I am not aware of any illegal action. However, I do not wish to damage the reputation of the government or the governing association,” He said it in his declaration.
On Feb. 6, Czech President Petr Pavel signed a “landmark” cryptocurrency legislation Incorporated into Czechia’s laws, the new law will provide regulatory clarity for digital assets in line with EU-wide legislation.
This new law simplifies crypto-tax rules and implements EU legislation. Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) “in a way that supports innovation and development of the entire industry.”
Magazine: China’s state-backed think tank considers Bitcoin reserve, Sony Bank goes Web3: Asia Express
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Source: cointelegraph.com
