Czech Republic Replaces Justice Minister Amid $43.2 Million Bitcoin Scandal

Generated by AI AgentCoin World
Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025 1:14 am ET1min read
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Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala appointed Eva Decroix as the new justice minister, replacing Pavel Blažek amidst a controversy involving a $45 million Bitcoin donation from a convicted criminal. The scandal has sparked significant political turmoil and public criticism, leading to Blažek's resignation from his ministerial role and his departure from Fiala’s Civic Democrat party.

The controversy began when the Ministry of Justice received a donation of 468 Bitcoin, which was later sold for approximately $43.2 million. The donation was made by Tomáš Jirčovský, who was convicted in 2017 for running the now-defunct Silk Road-style platform Sheep Marketplace and served four years in prison for charges including drug trafficking, fraud, and illegal arms possession. Blažek maintained that the donation was legal and intended to benefit the state, but opponents accused him of legitimizing illicit assets and bypassing proper legal channels.

As the scandal unfolded, Prime Minister Fiala acknowledged the

gravity
of the situation and emphasized the importance of Decroix’s appointment. He ordered an independent audit to restore public trust and transparency in the ministry. The scandal has erupted at a politically sensitive time, with national elections scheduled for October 3-4. The opposition ANO party, led by former prime minister Andrej
Babiš
, has used the controversy to criticize the government's handling of the situation, claiming it as evidence of government failure.

Despite the ruling coalition holding a majority in the lower house, analysts caution that the issue could influence voter sentiment in a close race. Babiš, a vocal critic of the administration, has highlighted the incident as a symptom of broader government oversight failures. Decroix is now tasked with stabilizing the ministry’s credibility before the election, with the hope that her appointment will signal a shift toward accountability and ease public discontent in the months ahead.