Czech Police Detain Tomáš Jiřikovský in Billion-Dollar Bitcoin Scandal
Czech police have detained Tomáš Jiřikovský, a convicted drug trafficker linked to a multi-billion-dollar bitcoin donation to the Ministry of Justice. The Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office reported that the National Centre for the Fight Against Organised Crime (NCOZ) is investigating money laundering and illegal drug handling.
Key points:
- Jiřikovský previously ran Sheep Marketplace, a darknet drug site, and served time for embezzlement and drug trafficking.
- His arrest occurred during a police raid in Břeclav.
- The bitcoin donation scandal has impacted Prime Minister Petr Fiala's administration ahead of the upcoming elections.
- A former Justice Minister resigned over accepting a donation of 468 BTC, valued at around $45 million.
- An independent audit indicated the ministry should not have accepted the bitcoin, suggesting it was likely from criminal activities.