Czech government hit with no-confidence vote over $45M Bitcoin scandal

The Czech government is facing a no-confidence vote triggered by a $45 million Bitcoin scandal involving the Justice Ministry’s acceptance and sale of nearly 500 Bitcoins seized from Tomáš Jiříkovský, a convicted criminal who ran an online black market and was imprisoned from 2017 to 2021 for drug trafficking, embezzlement, and weapons violations.

The Justice Ministry soled the Bitcoins on May 28, 2025, converting them into approximately 1 billion Czech koruna (about $45 million). The acceptance of this payment by then-Justice Minister Pavel Blazek sparked allegations of corruption and mismanagement, as critics argued the ministry failed to properly vet the legality and origin of the funds or involve law enforcement before the transaction.

Under mounting political pressure, Blazek resigned on May 30, denying wrongdoing but stating his resignation was to protect the government’s reputation ahead of the October elections. The opposition party called for the no-confidence vote and demanded a full investigation into the ministry’s actions, questioning transparency and whether the buyers are now demanding refunds.

Eva Decroix was appointed as the new Justice Minister and has pledged to conduct an independent probe and cooperate fully with investigators. Although the no-confidence vote scheduled for June 17, 2025, is expected to fail due to the ruling coalition’s parliamentary majority, it could damage the government’s standing ahead of upcoming elections.

The scandal has also drawn attention to the broader challenges of handling cryptocurrency assets linked to criminal activities and the risks of legitimizing illicit funds through government channels. The controversy has shaken public trust in the government’s management of digital assets and raised concerns about regulatory oversight in the Czech Republic’s crypto-friendly environment.

The Bitcoin scandal centers on the Justice Ministry’s controversial acceptance and sale of $45 million in Bitcoins from a convicted criminal, leading to the Justice Minister’s resignation, a no-confidence vote, and an ongoing investigation into potential corruption and procedural failures within the government.

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