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Czech Justice Minister resigns after receiving a gift worth 40 million euros in bitcoin
2025-05-31 15:43:36 / BOTA
The Czech Minister of Justice resigned after a former drug trafficker gave his ministry 40 million euros in bitcoin.
The ministry received this amount from a man who had served a four-year prison sentence for abuse, drug trafficking and illegal possession of weapons. The man was released from prison four years ago.
The ministry then auctioned the cryptocurrencies, raising about $40 million euros. The origin of the cryptocurrencies is unknown, but Blazek argued that courts have never proven they come from criminal activity.
"I am not aware of any illegality. But I do not want to damage the reputation of the ruling coalition," he said in a post on the X platform.
Authorities are investigating abuse of power and money laundering. Blazek, 56, is a member of the right-wing ODS party of Prime Minister Petr Fiala, the head of the center-right governing coalition since 2021.
The opposition demanded the minister's resignation after the scandal was revealed on Wednesday. Fiala commented that he is convinced that Blaze acted "in good faith" and that he considers his resignation "an act of responsibility."
The Czech Republic is heading for parliamentary elections in the fall. The opposition ANO movement of billionaire former prime minister Andrej Babis is leading in the polls with around 30%, while the ODS is coming in second with 20%.
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