Esmeralda Bahia: US Court grants request to return the precious stone worth up to R$ 5 billion to Brazil
Esmeralda Bahia: US Court grants request to return the precious stone worth up to R$ 5 billion to Brazil .      In 2017, a Federal Court in Campinas (SP) convicted two individuals for illegally sending the emerald to the U.S. A U.S. court has accepted a request from Brazil's Federal Regional Court of the 3rd Region (TRF3) to return the Bahia Emerald, a gemstone illegally extracted and sold to the United States over a decade ago. The decision is still subject to appeal, according to Brazil's Office of the Attorney General.
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When will the Bahia Emerald be repatriated?
The U.S. Department of Justice is expected to formalize
Jornal O Globo
A U.S. court has accepted a request from Brazil's Federal Regional Court of the 3rd Region (TRF3) to return the Bahia Emerald, a gemstone illegally extracted and sold to the United States over a decade ago. The decision is still subject to appeal, according to Brazil's Office of the Attorney General.

When will the Bahia Emerald be repatriated?

The U.S. Department of Justice is expected to formalize the repatriation of the emerald by December 6. Until then, the gemstone remains in the custody of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Removed from Brazil in 2005, the Bahia Emerald is the subject of legal battles in the District Court of Columbia. In court, Brazilian representatives claimed that the gemstone was illegally extracted from the country.

"We are not driven by any financial interest. We want to send a message that we will pursue Brazil's national heritage wherever it is found and hold international traffickers accountable, so they think twice before committing such a brazen crime," said Boni de Moraes Soares, Brazil's National Solicitor for International Affairs, to The Washington Post in October.

Three gemstone dealers are also contesting ownership of the emerald. They claim to have no involvement with the gemstone's entry into the U.S. and assert that they acquired the emerald legally.

What is the value of the Bahia Emerald?

Over the years of its legal dispute, various values have been attributed to the emerald. According to Wired magazine, one party involved claimed to have had the gemstone appraised at $925 million, equivalent to R$5.3 billion. In other instances, the value was quoted at $370 million (R$2.1 billion).

In 2015, the Office of the Attorney General requested a restraining order on the emerald, which was granted by the U.S. judiciary.

In 2017, a Federal Court in Campinas (SP) convicted two individuals for illegally sending the emerald to the United States. They declared the billion-dollar gemstone as bitumen and asphalt, according to The Washington Post. The ruling ordered the forfeiture of the gemstone to the Brazilian Union.

"This is a significant victory for the Brazilian state, resulting from a collaborative effort between the Office of the Attorney General, the Federal Prosecutor's Office, and the Ministry of Justice," said Brazil's Attorney General Jorge Messias. "More than a patrimonial asset, the Bahia Emerald is a Brazilian cultural asset, which will be incorporated into our Geological Museum."
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https://oglobo.globo.com/english/noticia/2024/11/23/esmeralda-bahia-us-court-grants-request-to-return-the-precious-stone-worth-up-to-r-5-billion-to-brazil.ghtml
2024-11-23
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     In 2017, a Federal Court in Campinas (SP) convicted two individuals for illegally sending the emerald to the U.S. A U.S. court has accepted a request from Brazil's Federal Regional Court of the 3rd Region (TRF3) to return the Bahia Emerald, a gemstone illegally extracted and sold to the United States over a decade ago. The decision is still subject to appeal, according to Brazil's Office of the Attorney General.
Could Bolsonaro face prison? Understand why he is under investigation
November 20: Understanding Black Consciousness Day, a national holiday in Brazil
When will the Bahia Emerald be repatriated?
The U.S. Department of Justice is expected to formalize the repatriation of the emerald by December 6. Until then, the gemstone remains in the custody of the Los Angeles Police Department.
Removed from Brazil in 2005, the Bahia Emerald is the subject of legal battles in the District Court of Columbia. In court, Brazilian representatives claimed that the gemstone was illegally extracted from the country.
"We are not driven by any financial interest. We want to send a message that we will pursue Brazil's national heritage wherever it is found and hold international traffickers accountable, so they think twice before committing such a brazen crime," said Boni de Moraes Soares, Brazil's National Solicitor for International Affairs, to The Washington Post in October.
Three gemstone dealers are also contesting ownership of the emerald. They claim to have no involvement with the gemstone's entry into the U.S. and assert that they acquired the emerald legally.
What is the value of the Bahia Emerald?
Over the years of its legal dispute, various values have been attributed to the emerald. According to Wired magazine, one party involved claimed to have had the gemstone appraised at $925 million, equivalent to R$5.3 billion. In other instances, the value was quoted at $370 million (R$2.1 billion).
In 2015, the Office of the Attorney General requested a restraining order on the emerald, which was granted by the U.S. judiciary.
In 2017, a Federal Court in Campinas (SP) convicted two individuals for illegally sending the emerald to the United States. They declared the billion-dollar gemstone as bitumen and asphalt, according to The Washington Post. The ruling ordered the forfeiture of the gemstone to the Brazilian Union.
"This is a significant victory for the Brazilian state, resulting from a collaborative effort between the Office of the Attorney General, the Federal Prosecutor's Office, and the Ministry of Justice," said Brazil's Attorney General Jorge Messias. "More than a patrimonial asset, the Bahia Emerald is a Brazilian cultural asset, which will be incorporated into our Geological Museum."
The translation of this text into english was carried out by Project Irineu, O GLOBO's initiative to develop artificial intelligence tools. Here is the link to the original report.
Esmeralda Bahia: US Court grants request to return the precious stone worth up to R$ 5 billion to Brazil