Denik N: Finance minister warned justice minister against accepting dodgy bitcoins

Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura allegedly warned then justice minister Pavel Blažek against accepting a massive donation of money from a suspect individual, but only after the contract was signed, the news site Deník N reported on Monday, citing a statement by the finance ministry. According to the ministry’s website, Stanjura knew about the matter more than a month before the donation was transferred.

It emerged last week that the Czech Justice Ministry had accepted a bitcoin donation worth one billion crowns from a man convicted of drug trafficking, embezzlement, and illegal possession of weapons. The revelation, made public by Denik N, led to the resignation of the justice minister and has shaken the centre-right government in its foundations.

The opposition parties have called for a special session of the lower house to debate the matter and are demanding the resignation of the Fiala government.