Bitcoin case: charges expanded to include money laundering
Detectives have expanded criminal proceedings against one of the suspects in the bitcoin case to include laundering proceeds from criminal activity. Four people remain suspects in the case.
Expansion of charges in the bitcoin case of the justice ministry
The National Centre Against Organised Crime decided on 25 May 2026 to expand criminal proceedings against one of the suspects in the case connected with the donation of bitcoins to the justice ministry. As informed to ČT24 by Chief State Prosecutor Radim Dragoun, the person in question is now also being prosecuted for laundering proceeds from criminal activity.
"Criminal proceedings have been expanded to include further conduct in which criminal offences of laundering proceeds from criminal activity are observed," Dragoun stated. The suspect whose proceedings have been expanded is being prosecuted at liberty.
The total number of suspects remains unchanged — four people are involved in the case, one of whom is in custody. "At present, no further information on the matter can be disclosed to the public," Dragoun added.
Tomáš Jiřikovský, previously convicted of embezzlement, drug trafficking and illegal arming, remains in custody. Former justice minister Pavel Blažek (formerly ODS), his former deputy Radomír Daňhel and Brno lawyer Kárim Titz are being prosecuted at liberty. All three face five to twelve years' imprisonment for laundering proceeds from criminal activity and abuse of authority by a public official.
Blažek, Daňhel and Titz were charged in early May. All three filed complaints against the decision to initiate criminal proceedings; the Supreme State Prosecution Service will decide on these. Blažek resigned from his ministerial post last year due to the case.
The case relates to the justice ministry's receipt last year of a billion-crown donation in bitcoins from Jiřikovský. Jiřikovský himself has been facing charges since last year — for laundering proceeds from criminal activity and operating the Nucleus Market darknet marketplace. The Chief State Prosecution Service in Olomouc is handling both Jiřikovský's case and the bitcoin donation itself as a single matter.
Since the end of April, the Chief State Prosecution Service has also been investigating a criminal complaint filed by Justice Minister Jeroným Tejc (ANO) in connection with the results of an internal audit into the bitcoin case. The case also has a disciplinary dimension: Marek Vagai, a prosecutor at the Brno regional state prosecution service, was punished for failing to contest a decision by which the court granted Jiřikovský disputed electronics. The disciplinary senate of the Supreme Court in Olomouc approved an agreement on guilt and disciplinary measure — Vagai received a reprimand, the mildest possible disciplinary measure.
Source: ČT24