Police detain donor of ministry’s bitcoins, seize cryptocurrency

Czech police have arrested convicted drug dealer Tomáš Jiřikovský, who donated 468 bitcoins—worth over CZK 1 billion at the time—to the Justice Ministry under then-minister Pavel Blažek (Civic Democratic Party). Investigators have now seized the remaining bitcoins, which legal opinions say likely stem from criminal activity. The ministry is considering whether to publish an updated timeline of the case, while an external audit has already found the donation should not have been accepted. Blažek resigned over the affair but maintains he acted lawfully; his successor Eva Decroix (Civic Democratic Party) disputes this. Police are also probing possible abuse of power in connection with the gift.