Brazilian prosecutors seek suspension of Samarco’s BRL 20 billion deal over Mariana disaster

Brazil’s Ministerio Publico Federal (MPF), a body of public prosecutors, has demanded the suspension of a BRL 20 billion deal signed by local pellets producer Samarco, Brazil’s government and the states of Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo.

According to the MPF appeal, popular participation in the formulation of the deal has been absent.  There is also a lack of ability for federal entities to rule over the victims’ rights, said Felicio Pontes Junior, Brazil’s federal attorney, who signed the embargos that impugned the deal.

The prosecutors argued the time spent to discuss and define the deal was “too short.”

The deal was approved by Brazil’s federal justice on May 5, 2016.