The dispute between Brazil and the United States over an emerald, valued at R$6 billion, is close to an end. And with Brazil’s victory. The stone, illegally extracted from the interior of Bahia and exported with false documents, will be returned to Brazil following a decision by the North American court.
Understand the case
The United States Court ordered last Thursday (21) that a 380-kilogram emerald extracted in Bahia be returned to Brazil.
According to information from the Attorney General’s Office (AGU), judge Reggie Walton, of the District Court of Columbia, recognized, after years of dispute, that the precious stone was extracted illegally and exported using false documents to the North American country.
The stone was found in 2001 in the city of Pindobaçu, in northern Bahia. Its exact value is uncertain, but the stone could be worth up to US$1 billion – the equivalent of almost R$6 billion.
In addition to the economic value of the emerald, the case draws attention for its historical value, as the stone is considered a Brazilian cultural heritage. According to the judge’s decision, the US Department of Justice must now file the final repatriation decision by December 6th.
The decision makes it clear that the order has effects only against those who litigated in the Court fighting the position of the Brazilian government, resolving the dispute in favor of Brazil. Other individuals who may seek compensation in the future for damages caused by those involved in the dispute will not be harmed by the decision.
The decision remains subject to appeal, which may suspend repatriation measures until further decision by the American Court.
For now, Esmeralda Bahia will remain in the custody of the Los Angeles police, California. In the event of an appeal, repatriation arrangements may be suspended until further decision by the US Court.
The Attorney General of the Union, Jorge Messias, celebrated and said that this “is a very important victory for the Brazilian State, the result of joint cooperation between the AGU and the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) and the Ministry of Justice”. He also added that this national treasure will be incorporated into the Geological Museum of Brazil.
This content was originally published in Understand the case of the R$6 billion emerald that will be returned by the USA to Brazil on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m James Harper, a highly experienced and accomplished news writer for World Stock Market. I have been writing in the Politics section of the website for over five years, providing readers with up-to-date and insightful information about current events in politics. My work is widely read and respected by many industry professionals as well as laymen.
