The dismissal of the Minister of Justice. He was to accept bitcoins that could come from criminal activities

The Minister of Justice Czech Pavel Blażek resigned on Friday, which was accepted. Blażek accepted as a gift for the Bitcoin ministry, which could come from criminal activities. They were given by a convicted person, among others for drug trafficking, after serving.

Blażek, giving up, emphasized in the net of X that he did not want to expose the government's reputation. At the same time, he noted that the transfer of the gift was fully legal. Money in the form of Bitcoins was transferred by Tomasz Jirzikovsky, who was convicted in 2017 for, among others Drug trafficking in the so -called Darknet. The allegations also concerned illegal weapon trade and embezzlement. He left prison in 2021.

According to media information, he had an encrypted cryptocurrency portfolio and proposed a 30 % transfer of a lawyer. content to the Ministry of Justice. After opening the portfolio, Bitcoins were submitted to the department's account, which was later sold for a billion crowns, i.e. over PLN 170 million. According to the contract, the funds were to be allocated to help for crime victims and the fight against cybercrime and the development of the technical facilities of the ministry.

Some journalists and representatives of the opposition point out that although the convict in 2017 was not awarded the forfeiture of property, the cryptocurrency could come from criminal activities. The fact that after the donation and opening of the wallet the remaining part was transferred to other accounts. Thus, a significant amount could have been washed.

The proceedings in the case are already conducted by investigators from the National Headquarters of Organized Crime. A separate investigation was implemented by the prosecutor's office in Olomouc, which, among others He examines the possibility of exceeding the rights by a public official and money laundering.

From Prague Piotr Górecki (PAP)

PTG/ MMS/