The Czech government faces a no-confidence vote after Justice Minister Pavel Blazek resigned amid controversy over a Bitcoin donation. The digital contribution, worth millions, came from Tomas Jirikovsky, a convicted drug trafficker linked to Sheep Marketplace.
The donation, made in March, was sold for over$45 million at a public auction, sparking political backlash.
Blazek denied any wrongdoing in accepting the donation but stepped down amid growing pressure. Opposition party ANO criticised the government's handling of the affair, calling for immediate resignation.
The scandal adds to mounting concerns as the October elections approach, with polls showing the ruling coalition trailing behind ANO.
Jirikovsky was convicted in 2017 and released in 2021, after which he sought to reclaim seized Bitcoin. Investigations revealed a dark web trail tied to the donation, but no formal links to other marketplaces were confirmed.
Political analysts suggest Prime Minister Petr Fiala could also face scrutiny due to his close association with Blazek.
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