Czech court keeps alleged crypto laundering ringleader in custody after shift in stance

A Czech court in Brno has decided to keep programmer Tomáš Jiříkovský in custody after his latest detention hearing, even as prosecutors said he has softened his earlier refusal to cooperate with investigators. According to Bitcoin.com, Jiříkovský, described as the main defendant in a major Czech cryptocurrency money laundering case, has not yet provided detailed testimony, but prosecutors said his position has changed from total non-cooperation. He is accused of operating a darknet platform and laundering criminal proceeds. Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, along with asset confiscation. The court said custody should continue because of flight risk and the possibility that Jiříkovský still controls part of the undisclosed crypto assets tied to the case. A central point in the case is an approximately $44 million Bitcoin donation he provided to the Czech Ministry of Justice. He had previously proposed handing over 30% of a seized crypto wallet to the government in exchange for help unlocking the wallet.