A giant emerald smuggled into the United States more than 20 years ago will soon be returned home, according to a recent ruling handed down by a US judge.
The gem, which weighs more than 840 pounds, was mined in 2001 in the Brazilian state of Bahia and is known as the Bahia Emerald. The emerald is called “cursed” because of the protracted litigation surrounding it.
After it was stolen in 2001, several actors claimed ownership of the jewel, leading to countless court cases over the past two decades. In 2015, the Department of Justice (DOJ) requested a restraining order to protect the jewelry, which was in the possession of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Since then, the Brazilian government has sought to detain him.
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton ruled that the jewelry must be returned to Brazil. In court documents obtained by Fox News Digital, Walton wrote that the arguments of opponents of the Brazilian government were “insufficient.” [evidence] Prohibits return of emeralds to Brazil. ”
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A judge has ruled that a “cursed” giant emerald can be returned to Brazil. (Reuters/iStock)
“After careful consideration of the parties' motions, the court concludes that the stay must be revoked for the following reasons.” [for the gem to remain in the U.S.] is now imposed in this case, and I grant the government's application,'' Walton ruled.
In a statement, White Shoes law firm Mayer Brown called the decision a “victory” and described efforts to bring the jewelry home.
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Multiple people claimed to own this gemstone, leading to countless lawsuits. (Reuters)
“After the Brazilians who participated in the illegal export of emeralds have exhausted their appeal rights, Mayer Brown will work with Brazil to enforce the Brazilian confiscation order under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) between the United States and Brazil. “We have prepared a request for this,” the company said. He explained.
“In April 2022, the Department of Justice filed a complaint under the MLAT in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, asking that court to order the forfeiture of the emeralds.”
This gemstone was mined in Brazil and weighs over 840 pounds. (Reuters)
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“This week, in a major victory for the country of Brazil, Judge Walton of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a final ruling on the Department of Justice's motion to confiscate jewelry to Brazil, ending a long legal battle. “The stage has been set. The Bahia Emerald should be repatriated to Brazil,” the company concluded.
