The Czech opposition party ANO has called for an investigation into the Justice Ministry’s auction of nearly 500 Bitcoin seized from convicted criminal Tomas Jirikovsky, citing concerns over transparency and legal compliance. The cryptocurrency assets, valued at approximately $45 million, were liquidated through a government auction that has since faced scrutiny.
Reports indicate that some winning bidders have sought refunds amid allegations of procedural irregularities. The controversy prompted the resignation of Justice Minister Pavel Blazek, who denied personal misconduct but stated his departure aimed to preserve the government’s reputation ahead of upcoming elections.
Newly appointed Justice Minister Eva Decroix has pledged an independent investigation into the auction process to ensure transparency and restore public trust. The incident highlights ongoing global challenges in managing seized cryptocurrency assets and raises fundamental questions about regulatory frameworks for state-handled digital currencies.