Czech Police Arrest Darknet Founder in Bitcoin Bribery Case

Key Highlights:

• Tomáš Jirikovský arrested in $45M bitcoin bribery tied to justice minister’s exit.
• Ex-Sheep Marketplace founder tried to flee police by climbing onto a roof.
• Experts say blockchain transparency makes large criminal crypto transfers traceable.

$45 Million Bitcoin Bribery Scandal Unravels in Czech Republic

Czech police have arrested programmer Tomáš Jirikovský, founder of the darknet platform Sheep Marketplace, in a bribery case involving 468 BTC (worth about $45 million at the time of the transaction). The funds are linked to the resignation of Justice Minister Pavel Blažek in May 2025.

According to the prosecutor's office, Jirikovský attempted to escape during the search by climbing onto the roof of a building but was detained and taken into custody. Local media claim he was the individual who handed over the bitcoins to the minister in an attempt to avoid another prison term.

Jirikovský made his fortune from the illegal Sheep Marketplace, which operated in 2013 and was shut down after its founder stole users' funds.

Wider Darknet and Crypto Investigation Continues

In 2017, Jirikovský received a nine-year prison sentence for theft, drug trafficking, and illegal possession of weapons. He was released on parole in 2021.

The investigation has also linked the bitcoin donation to another darknet marketplace called Nucleus, which holds 5,000 BTC and recently reactivated after a nine-year hiatus. In March 2025, a $77.5 million transaction from its wallet attracted the attention of analysts.

Experts note that despite privacy features for ordinary users, large cryptocurrency transfers linked to criminal activity are easily traceable on the blockchain. According to Lucien Bourdon, an analyst at Trezor, this highlights both the transparency of cryptocurrency transactions and the importance of accountability in financial systems.

Authorities are continuing their investigation, ensuring the safety of defendants and witnesses in this case. No final charges have been brought against Jirikovský yet.