The official OKX app features seamless multilingual interface switching, providing global users with barrier-free trading experience. Our innovative social copy trading system connects you with professional strategies, while open API supports customized q
Download for Android Download for IOS
Czech authorities have apprehended Tomas Jirikovsky, the mastermind behind notorious darknet marketplace Sheep Marketplace, in a high-profile case involving 468 BTC (worth $45 million) allegedly used to influence former Justice Minister Pavel Blazek. The arrest marks a dramatic escalation in a scandal that forced Blazek's resignation earlier this year.
According to local outlet Deník N, Jirikovsky attempted to evade capture during a Thursday night police operation by climbing onto his rooftop. Neighbors alerted authorities to the unusual escape attempt before officers successfully detained the suspect. The arrest follows months of investigation into suspicious Bitcoin transactions linked to Blazek's political affairs.
Jirikovsky's criminal history includes a 2017 conviction for operating Sheep Marketplace, where he allegedly amassed 1,500 BTC through drug trafficking and embezzlement before serving half of a nine-year sentence. Blockchain analysts suggest the 468 BTC donation to Blazek originated from Nucleus, another darknet platform holding 5,000 BTC that suddenly became active in March 2025 after nine dormant years.
"While regular folks have good privacy options, if you're a criminal or government, Bitcoin isn't great for moving money quietly," noted Lucien Bourdon of Trezor. The case highlights cryptocurrency's paradoxical nature — offering pseudonymity while creating permanent, traceable records. 【Arkham Intelligence】 had previously flagged the suspicious reactivation of Nucleus' wallet containing $77.5 million in BTC.
The scandal has shaken Czech politics, with prosecutors confirming the Bitcoin case has been separated from broader investigations for special attention. ——This marks the first major corruption case involving cryptocurrency at the ministerial level in Europe——, setting potential precedents for how governments handle blockchain-related crimes. Authorities continue tracing Jirikovsky's extensive crypto holdings, believed to far exceed the seized 468 BTC.
As the case unfolds, it underscores both the challenges and opportunities of cryptocurrency transparency in combating financial crimes. The arrest comes eight months after Blazek's resignation, demonstrating law enforcement's growing sophistication in tracking illicit crypto transactions across international borders.