Czech Minister Pavel Blazek has stepped up after a scam on the sale of about $ 45 million of bitcoin donated by a convict drug smuggling by his ministry.
Controversy arose on May 28 after the ministry Posted On X that it auctioned about 500 bitcoins (BTCs) and raised 1 billion checks close to Koruna (about $ 45 million).
Funds were prescribed for projects such as digital justice system, combating the use of drugs in jails and improvement in housing for prison employees.
However, Czech News Outlet Denic N revealed Cryptocurrency came from Tomas Jirikovski, a guilty criminal behind the sheep market, a dark web platform to sell illegal goods is notorious.
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Czech minister accepts bitcoin donation
In March, Jirikowski’s lawyer approached Blazek, presenting a third of Bitcoin as a donation to the Ministry of Justice. Blazek accepted without investigating the origin of cryptocurrency.
“I have no way to investigate the case, and I was not interested in so many years after the case,” Said At a press conference on Thursday, Jirikovski’s desire for “repentance” was shown, suggesting the donation.
However, public outrage increased due to lack of transactions. Opposition leaders called it a scam, and the police have now started an investigation in the origin of bitcoin.
Jirikovski was sentenced in 2017 for embezzlement, drug smuggling and arms violations. Since his release from jail in 2021, he has been trying to recover 1,500 bitcoins seized at the time of his arrest.
During his test, the check authorities suspected that the funds were associated with the nucleus, stopping another dark web marketplace Jirikovski just after the arrest. Despite this, he said that bitcoin was legally acquired, which allowed him to maintain it after serving his sentence.
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Blazek resigns after rising pressure
Facing rising pressure and only four months away with legislative elections, Prime Minister Petra Fiala removed herself from a long political ally Blazek.
Subsequently, Blazek resigned on 30 May. “I don’t know about any illegal action. However, I do not want to harm the reputation of the government or the governing association,” he said in his statement.
On 6 February, Czech Chairman Petra Pavel signed a “landmark” cryptocurrency law in the law, providing checkia with regulatory clarity on digital assets that are aligning with comprehensive European Union laws.
The new law simplifies the Crypto Tax Rules and “implements the European Union markets” in the Crypto Essets (MICA) regulation “a way that supports the innovation and development of the entire industry.”
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