The smallest state in the world: sea fortresses. Prince of the Sea Platform Coins and Stamps
Which country is the smallest? Many will answer: the Vatican. However, ten kilometers from the coast of Great Britain there is a tiny independent state - Sealand. The Principality is located on an abandoned sea platform.
Background
The Rafs Tower platform (“Tower of Hooligans” in English) was built during the Second World War. To protect against Nazi bombers, several such platforms were installed off the coast of Great Britain. An anti-aircraft gun complex was located on them, which was guarded and serviced by 200 soldiers.
The Roughs Tower platform, which later became the physical territory occupied by the virtual state, was located six miles from the Thames Estuary. And Britain's territorial waters ended three miles from the coast. Thus, the platform ended up in neutral waters. After the end of the war, the weapons from all the forts were dismantled, the platforms located close to the shore were destroyed. And Rafs Tower remained abandoned.
In the 60s of the last century, radio pirates began to actively explore the coastal waters of England. Roy Bates, a retired British Army major, was one of them. He launched his first radio station, Radio Essex, on a different platform, displacing his colleagues. However, in 1965 he was fined for violating the Wireless Telegraph Act and had to find a new location for the radio station.
Together with his friend Ronan O'Rahilly, the major decided to occupy Rafs Tower and create an amusement park on the platform. However, the friends soon quarreled, and Roy Bates began to master the platform on his own. He even had to defend the right to her with arms in hand.
History of creation
The amusement park idea failed. But Bates could no longer recreate the radio station, despite the fact that he had all the necessary equipment. The fact is that in 1967 a law came into force that made broadcasting, including from international waters, a crime. Now even the location of the platform could not save Bates from persecution by the state.
But what if the waters are no longer neutral? The retired major had a crazy, at first glance, idea - to proclaim the platform as a separate state. On September 2, 1967, the former military man declared the platform an independent state and named it Sealand, and declared himself the ruler of the new country, Prince Roy I Bates. Accordingly, his wife became Princess Joanna I.
Of course, Roy initially studied international law and talked to lawyers. It turned out that the major’s actions would indeed be difficult to challenge in court. The newly created state of Sealand had a physical territory, albeit small - only 0.004 square kilometers.
At the same time, the construction of the platform was completely legal. A document prohibiting such buildings appeared only in the 80s. And at the same time, the platform was outside the jurisdiction of Britain, and the authorities could not legally dismantle it.
Relations with Great Britain
Three more similar platforms remained in English territorial waters. Just in case, the government decided to get rid of them. The platforms were blown up. One of the Navy vessels carrying out this mission sailed to Sealand. The ship's crew stated that this platform would soon be destroyed. To which the residents of the principality responded by firing warning shots into the air.
Roy Bates was a British citizen. Therefore, as soon as the major stepped ashore, he was arrested on charges of illegal possession of weapons. A trial began against Prince Bates. On September 2, 1968, an Essex judge made a historic decision: he ruled that the case was outside British jurisdiction. This fact became official evidence that the UK had renounced its rights to the platform.
Coup attempt
In August 1978, a coup nearly occurred in the country. A conflict arose between the ruler of the state, Roy Bates, and his closest assistant, Count Alexander Gottfried Achenbach, over the policy of attracting foreign investment to the country. The men accused each other of unconstitutional intentions.
When the prince went to Austria to negotiate with potential investors, the count decided to seize the platform by force. At that moment, only Michael (Michael) I Bates, son of Roy and heir to the throne, was on the territory of Sealand. Achenbach, along with several mercenaries, captured the platform, and the young prince was locked in a windowless cabin for several days. After this, Michael was taken to the Netherlands, from where he was able to escape.
Soon, Roy and Michael were reunited and were able to regain power on the platform. The mercenaries and Achenbach were captured. What to do with people who betrayed Sealand? The Principality fully complied with international law. on the rights of prisoners of war states that after the cessation of hostilities, all prisoners must be released.
The mercenaries were immediately released. But Achenbach was accused of attempting a coup d'etat according to the laws of the principality. He was convicted and removed from all government positions. Since the traitor was a citizen of Germany, the German authorities became interested in his fate. Britain refused to intervene in this conflict.
A German official arrived on Sealand to speak with Prince Roy. As a result of the intervention of a German diplomat, Achenbach was released.
Illegal government
What did Achenbach do next after the failed attempt to capture Sealand? The Principality was now inaccessible to him. But the former count continued to insist on his rights and even organized a government of Sealand in exile. He also claimed that he was the chairman of a certain secret council.
Germany had Achenbach's diplomatic status, and in 1989 he was arrested. The post of head of the illegal government of Sealand was taken by Johannes Seiger, the former Minister of Economic Cooperation.
Territory expansion
In 1987, Sealand (principality) expanded its territorial waters. He announced this desire on September 30, and the next day the UK made the same statement. In accordance with international law, the disputed maritime territory is equally divided between the two states.
Since there are no agreements between the countries in this regard, and Great Britain did not make any statements, the Sealand government considered the disputed territory to be divided according to international norms.
This led to an unpleasant incident. In 1990, a British ship unauthorized approached the shores of the principality. Residents of Sealand fired several warning shots into the air.
Passports
In 1975, the virtual state began issuing its own passports, including diplomatic ones. But Sealand's good name was tarnished when the illegitimate government in exile became involved in a major global scam. In 1997, Interpol began searching for the source of a huge number of false documents allegedly issued in Sealand.
Passports, driver's licenses, higher education diplomas and other documents were sold to Russia, the USA and European countries. Using these documents, people tried to cross the border, open a bank account, and buy weapons. The Sealand government assisted the investigation. After this incident, absolutely all passports, including those issued absolutely legally, were revoked and abolished.
Constitution, state symbols, form of government
After Great Britain recognized that Sealand was outside its jurisdiction in 1968, the inhabitants decided that this was a de facto recognition of the country's independence. 7 years later, in 1975, state symbols were developed - anthem, flag and coat of arms. At the same time, the Constitution was issued, including a preamble and 7 articles. New government decisions are formalized in the form of decrees.
The flag of Sealand is a combination of three colors - red, black and white. In the upper left corner there is a red triangle, in the lower right corner there is a black triangle. Between them there is a white stripe.
The flag and coat of arms are the official symbols of Sealand. The coat of arms of Sealand depicts two lions with fish tails, holding a shield in the colors of the flag in their paws. Below the coat of arms is a motto that reads: “Freedom from the sea.” The national anthem, written by composer Vasily Simonenko, is also called.
According to the government structure, Sealand is a monarchy. The governing structure has three ministries - foreign affairs, internal affairs and telecommunications and technology.
Coins and stamps
Sealand coins have been issued since 1972. The first silver coin with the image of Princess Joan was released in 1972. From 1972 to 1994, several types of coins were issued, mainly in silver, gold and bronze, with portraits of Joanna and Roy or a dolphin on the obverse, and a sailboat or coat of arms on the reverse. The principality's currency is the Sealand dollar, which is pegged to the US dollar.
Between 1969 and 1977, the state issued postage stamps. For some time they were accepted by the Belgian Post.
Population
The first ruler of Sealand was Prince Roy Bates. In 1990, he transferred all rights to his son and went to live in Spain with the princess. Roy died in 2012, his wife Joanna in 2016. The current ruler is Prince Michael I Bates. He has an heir, James Bates, who is the Prince of Sealand. In 2014, James had a son, Freddie, who is the great-grandson of the first ruler of the principality.
Who lives in Sealand today? The population of the principality at different times ranged from 3 to 27 people. Currently, there are about ten people on the platform every day.
Religion and sports
It operates on the territory of the principality. There is also a small chapel named after St. Brendan the Navigator on the platform. Sealand does not remain aloof from sporting achievements. Despite the fact that the population of the principality is not enough to form sports teams, some athletes represent the unrecognized state. There is even a football team.
Sealand and the Internet
Regarding the Internet on the territory of the state, a simple law applies - everything is permitted except spam, hacker attacks and child pornography. Therefore, Sealand, which began as a pirate radio station, is still an attractive territory for modern pirates. For 8 years, HavenCo servers were located on the territory of the principality. After the closure of the company, the principality continues to provide services for hosting servers for various organizations.
Legal status
Unlike other self-proclaimed states, Sealand has little chance of gaining recognition. The principality has a physical territory, it was founded before the expansion of the water borders of Britain. The platform was abandoned, which means its settlement can be considered as colonization. Thus, Roy Bates could actually establish a state in free territory. However, for Sealand to receive full rights, it must be recognized by other states.
Selling Sealand
In 2006, there was a fire on the platform. Restoration required significant funds. In 2007, the principality was put up for sale at a price of 750 million euros. The Pirate Bay intended to acquire the platform, but the parties could not reach an agreement.
Sealand today
You can not only find out which country is the smallest, but also support the rebel platform government in its quest for independence. Anyone can donate money to the treasury of the principality. In addition, on the official website you can purchase various souvenirs, coins, and stamps.
For just 6 euros you can create a personal Sealand email address. For 25 euros order an official ID card. For those who have dreamed of a title all their lives, Sealand gives such an opportunity. Quite officially, according to the laws of the principality, anyone who pays 30 euros can become a baron, for 100 euros - a knight of the Sovereign Military Order, and for 200 - a real count or countess.
Today, the Principality of Sealand is ruled by Michael I Bates. Like his father, he is an advocate for freedom of information, and Hooligan Tower remains a stronghold of modern information pirates.
Principality of Sealand, UK. 10 kilometers from the coast of Great Britain is Rafs Tower - one of the coastal platforms of the British garrison during the Second World War. Since 1967, a metal site (area 0.00055 km²) in the North Sea has been declared a separate state, Sealand (literally “sea land”). The idea belonged to retired Major Paddy Roy Bates, who grabbed the platform in time before the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea came into force, which prohibits the construction of structures on the high seas. The founder of an unusual state established self-government and called himself a monarch. During its short history, the principality survived an attack from Britain, a putsch and a fire. In 1975, it adopted a constitution and approved a flag, coat of arms and anthem. Over time, the "government" of the self-proclaimed country began to mint and sell coins, as well as issue passports and confer titles. Anyone can become a citizen of Sealand (£25), as well as a Duke or Duchess (£199.99). The state has about 70 thousand fans on Facebook, and more than 150 thousand people use fake passports of the principality. Principality of Seborga, Italy. In 1963, Italy became smaller by 15 km², when the inhabitants of the village of the same name declared themselves a separate principality. This mess was stirred up by flower merchant Giorgio Carbone, who supported the idea that Seborga was never documented to be included in the Republic in 1946, which means that legally this territory is not part of Italy. Moreover, the independent feudal principality of Seborga existed for more than a thousand years - since 954! Consequently, Giorgio I proclaimed a village in the Italian province an independent state, and himself its first prince. Seborga mints its own Luigino coins and sells stamps, and has opened consulates in 10 countries. However, only Burkina Faso officially recognized Seborga. Ladonia, Sweden. In 1996, a new state appeared on the map of Sweden, seizing 1 km² from the Kullaberg nature reserve. It all started with art, namely with the fact that the Swedish artist Lars Vilks, without consent, piled up the sculpture “Nimis” and later “Arks” on the site of the future country. However, the authorities did not like his idea. The sculptor responded to the bureaucrats by proclaiming a virtual state, whose citizens were divided into nobles, ordinary people, honorary residents and saints. It is noteworthy that Lars Vilks himself limited himself to the modest post of Secretary of State of Ladonia. Apparently, his duty is to count the profits from the sale of the titles of counts and baronesses to those who wish. By the way, there is no permanent population in Ladonia, but during the existence of the self-proclaimed state, more than 16 thousand received its citizenship. They wanted to add 3 thousand Pakistanis to their number, who naively hoped to emigrate with the help of Ladonia. Republic of Conch, or Republic of Conch, USA. Key West Mayor Dennis Wardlaw declared the Florida Keys an independent nation in 1982, when he grew tired of struggling with the inconvenience of being a border crossing (with Cuba) that his hometown had become. He declared himself the first president and plucked up the courage to throw a piece of stale bread at a customs officer and declare war on the United States. True, he immediately capitulated and asked for humanitarian aid in the amount of $1 billion! The media trumpeted the sensational news, and US authorities removed the border post. The self-proclaimed republic sells its own passports, ranging in price from $100 (for Americans and Canadians) to $10,000 (ambassador's diplomatic passport). Republic of Uzupis, Lithuania. In our opinion, Zarechye is one of the districts of Vilnius. From an abandoned quarter, Užupis turned into Lithuanian Montmartre, sheltering local artists and performers. It was they who proclaimed 0.6 km² of the capital’s territory as a new republic in the 90s, invented a flag for it, concocted a constitution, drew money and elected a president. Just for fun, on April 1, Uzhupovites celebrate their independence day. In their creative country there is a place for the army and customs, and the ambassadors and consuls of the republic can be found in 200 places in the world. The republic specializes in good deeds: helping the homeless and the elderly, feeding cats, painting abandoned houses in bright colors. The symbol of the “state” is an angel with a trumpet. When the Dalai Lama, who received honorary citizenship of the republic, arrived in Užupis, he said that he would like the sound of this trumpet to be heard throughout the entire Earth. Grand Duchy of Westarctica, Antarctica. The first virtual state appeared on the southernmost continent in 2001. It lays claim to a part of Antarctica that the UN has called a “continent of international cooperation.” The initiator of the idea is US infantryman Travis McHenry. Westarctica has its own radio station, state news agency, army, and issues currency and stamps. Anyone can become a citizen of Westarctic by filling out the appropriate form on the website, and also receive their own unique e-mail. And believe me, getting Westarctic citizenship is much easier than seeing its natural attractions. The Kingdom of Lovely. Comedian writer Danny Wallace, in collaboration with the BBC, has released a humorous documentary series, How to Create Your Own State. In the process of a television experiment, he created a new country, which was geographically based in his London apartment and united 58,165 citizens from around the world. It happened on January 1, 2005. Designers from the Pentagram studio worked on the flag and coat of arms, and for advice, Wallace went to the prince of the microstate of Sealand and the “owner” of the moon, Dennis Hope. Viewers helped come up with the name for the kingdom through online voting. But the Beautiful State was not allowed to participate in Eurovision.
28.08.2015 - 17:58
What do women usually get for their birthday? Flowers, jewelry, perfume. On September 2, 1967, Englishman Roy Bates presented his beloved wife Joan with a principality. And even though it was very small, just tiny - 10x15 meters, but it was real, not fake. Well, what woman would refuse such a gift? So, on September 2, 1967, Joan Bates became a princess, and less than 10 miles off the coast of Great Britain, the smallest state in the world appeared - the Principality of Sealand. Like every state, in the history of Sealand there were struggles for power between representatives of different clans, wars, and coups d'etat.
"Hooligan Tower"
In 1942, Great Britain, in order to protect its territory from Luftwaffe air raids, built a network of platforms on the high seas near its shores and installed anti-aircraft guns on them.
The garrison of each such fort numbered from 250 to 300 people and could easily live and serve on the platform for a long time in conditions of complete autonomy.
At the end of World War II, the garrisons were evacuated and the platforms were abandoned. Some of them were destroyed, some are still standing at sea.
One of these platforms, called “Roughs Tower”, was destined to live up to its name with a stunning trick: for 48 years it has been proudly referred to as “the independent sovereign principality of Sealand”.
The restless retired Major Roy Bates
In 1966, Roughs Tower, standing alone at sea, attracted the attention of retired British Armed Forces Major Paddy Roy Bates. The biography of this man deserves a separate story. The events and adventures in his life were enough for ten.
Roy Bates began his military service as a 15-year-old soldier in the International Brigade in Spain and graduated with the rank of major in the British Army. Peaceful life haunted the retired officer. His restless nature constantly thirsted for new adventures, of which there were plenty in his life even after the war. In 1965, the restless Roy Bates became a radio pirate.
In the 60s, Europe was covered by a wave of private radio stations. Many of them broadcast on air without a license, which is why they were called “pirate”. In an effort to evade pursuing police officers, radio pirates often broadcast from ships on the high seas. Two such “radio hooligans”, Roy Bates and Ronan O’Reilly, in 1966, “set their eyes on” the “Roughs Tower” standing in the middle of the sea. It is not known which cat ran between them, but friends became enemies, and soon Roy Bates was already the sole owner of the platform.
The first war in the history of Sealand
In the summer of 1967, Roughs Tower survived its first attempted armed invasion. Ronan O'Reilly, having tasted the fruits of independent existence at Roughs Tower, attempted to seize the platform by force. However, Bates proved that it was not for nothing that he once wore the shoulder straps of a military man and managed to repel the attack.
It is unknown how many people took part in that brawl, but both Roy and Ronan did not fight alone. The fight was long and hot. In the first, but not the last, military conflict in the island's history, rifles, shotguns, Molotov cocktails and even flamethrowers were used. The attack was repulsed, the aggressors went back to the mainland to lick their wounds.
Having repulsed the attack, Roy began to strengthen the status of his territory. On September 2, 1967, on the birthday of his wife Joan, he declared the Roughs Tower platform an independent principality, himself a prince, and his beloved wife a princess. Appreciating the gift, Joanna I Bates, together with her children, moved to her principality, and the whole family began to equip the young state.
In 1968, the “Hooligan Tower”, already in the status of the Principality of Sealand, survived the second attempt of armed occupation. This time Great Britain acted as the aggressor. An officer from an approaching coast guard patrol boat demanded that the platform be vacated, to which Prince Roy I Bates proudly replied that the people of Sealand (5 people) valued their freedom and were ready to fight for it with arms in hand.
The prince reinforced his words with several shots into the air, to the approving cries of the people supporting their sovereign. The officer decided not to get involved with armed idiots and went home. Following him were the enthusiastic cries of the Sealanders, who defended the honor and independence of their state.
How a British court “recognized” the independence of Sealand
Here the British themis remembered that Roy Bates is a British citizen, and opened a criminal case against him for illegal possession and use of firearms. But the Essex judge who was considering the case just shrugged: Roughs Tower is located outside the 3-mile coastal zone of the United Kingdom, and therefore everything that happens on it does not fall under the jurisdiction of British justice.
No wonder, oh no wonder, of all the towers standing in the sea, Roy at one time chose the “Roughs Tower”! The decision of the Essex court became fateful in the life of the young state: Great Britain officially recognized Sealand as free from its control.
Acquitted by a British court, Roy Bates set about further building his principality with renewed energy. A flag, anthem, coat of arms, a constitution and the first state decrees of the monarch appeared.
In 1972, Sealand began minting the Sealand dollar, which is currently the only legal means of payment in the principality. The newly formed government began issuing postage stamps and began issuing passports to its citizens.
Failed coup attempt
Having repulsed two attempts at military invasion of its territory, Sealand survived a coup in August 1978. The country's Prime Minister, Count Alexander Gottfried Achenbach, taking advantage of the absence of Roy I Bates, landed on the island with a group of Dutch mercenaries, captured Crown Prince Michael, took him out of the country and declared himself ruler of Sealand.
The young prince managed to escape and soon met his father. Roy I once again proved his talent as a military strategist by organizing a military operation in which the island was recaptured and the invaders captured.
In accordance with the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the mercenaries were released. The organizer of the coup, Alexander Achenbach, was stripped of all posts, ranks, and titles and appeared before the Sealand court, accused of high treason.
The fact that he had German citizenship saved the ex-count from an inevitable death sentence. Germany stood up for the putschist. The British Foreign Office, which was contacted by German embassy officials concerned about the fate of their citizen, prudently refused to interfere in this matter, citing the decision of the Essex court in 1968, and advised to settle the issue directly with the Sealand authorities.
Meeting the requests of an employee of the German embassy who arrived on the island, Prince Sealand Roy I Bates pardoned the state criminal and freed him, banishing him from the country forever. The failed prince and his supporters organized the government of Sealand in exile and are still fighting for power.
Sealand is alive and well
This whole story with a self-proclaimed micro-state has long gone beyond the realm of fun. From the point of view of international law experts, the independent state of Sealand has all the legal grounds to be recognized. Sealand's small size cannot in any way be an obstacle to its legitimization.
The actions of Bates and his supporters in terms of nation-building are simply amazing. Sealand has all the attributes of statehood: flag, anthem, coat of arms, constitution, currency, its own international dialing code, ISO code and Internet domain.
The principality stops in the bud the slightest attempts to encroach on its sovereignty, so in 1990 a warning salvo was fired towards a British ship that violated the territorial waters of Sealand. Sealand has its own football team. In 2008, the island's team won the World Egg Throwing Championship. At one time, Sealand stamps were recognized by the Belgian post office.
Using unrecognized Sealand passports, people manage to cross borders, make purchase and sale transactions, obtain a driver’s license, and open bank accounts. (However, after Interpol “caught” an international cartel selling counterfeit Sealand ID cards in 1997, the authorities of the principality canceled the passports)
They mint their own coins (Sealand dollars are highly valued among numismatists), sell goods with the Sealand emblem, and anyone can (very inexpensively!) become a count or baron of an independent principality. In 2006, the Sealand Anglican Church was founded. The government plans to open and establish a tourism business.
On October 9, 2012, the founder and first ruler of the Principality of Sealand, Roy I Bates, died at the age of 90. His son Michael I Bates took over the reins. The king is dead - long live the king!
- 4666 views
The Principality of Sealand (literally “sea land” in English; also Sealand) is a virtual state proclaimed in 1967 by retired British Major Roy Bates. Claims sovereignty over the territory of an offshore platform in the North Sea, 10 kilometers off the coast of Great Britain. Bates proclaimed himself the monarch (prince) of Sealand, and his family the ruling dynasty; they and persons who consider themselves subjects of Sealand are engaged in creating and developing the attributes of this principality, similar to the attributes of the states of the world (flag, coat of arms and anthem, constitution, government positions, diplomacy, collectible postage stamps, coins, etc. are issued).
Sealand is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is Prince Michael I Bates. Since 1999, direct power has been exercised by the Crown Prince Regent. The constitution in force was adopted on September 25, 1975, consisting of a preamble and 7 articles. The sovereign's orders are issued in the form of decrees. The executive branch has three ministries: Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Telecommunications and Technology. The legal system is based on British common law.
The physical territory of Sealand emerged during the Second World War. In 1942, the British Navy built a series of platforms on the approaches to the coast. One of them was Rafs Tower. During the war, the platforms housed anti-aircraft guns and were garrisoned by 200 people. After the end of hostilities, most of the towers were destroyed, but the Rafs Tower, being outside British territorial waters, remained untouched.
In 1966, retired British Army Major Paddy Roy Bates and his friend Ronan O'Reilly chose the Roughs Tower platform, by then long abandoned, to build an amusement park. However, after some time they quarreled, and Bates became the sole owner of the island. In 1967, O'Reilly tried to take over the island and used force to do so, but Bates defended himself with rifles, shotguns, Molotov cocktails and flamethrowers, and O'Reilly's attack was repulsed.
Roy did not build an amusement park, but chose the platform to base his pirate radio station, Britain's Better Music Station, but the radio station never broadcast from the platform. On September 2, 1967, he announced the creation of a sovereign state and proclaimed himself Prince Roy I. This day is celebrated as the main public holiday.
In 1968, British authorities tried to take over the platform. Patrol boats approached her, and the Bateses responded by firing warning shots into the air. The matter did not come to bloodshed, but a trial was launched against Major Bates as a British subject. On September 2, 1968, an Essex judge made a ruling that supporters of Sealand's independence attach to historical significance: he found the case outside British jurisdiction.
In 1972, Sealand began minting coins. In 1975, Sealand's first constitution came into force. A flag and coat of arms appeared.
In August 1978, a putsch took place in the country. It was preceded by tension between the prince and his closest ally, the country's prime minister, Count Alexander Gottfried Achenbach. The parties differed in their views on attracting investment to the country and accused each other of unconstitutional intentions. Taking advantage of the absence of the prince, who was negotiating with investors in Austria, Achenbach and a group of Dutch citizens landed on the island. The invaders locked young Prince Michael in a basement and then took him to the Netherlands. But Michael escaped from captivity and met his father. With the support of the country's loyal citizens, the deposed monarchs managed to defeat the usurpers and return to power.
The government acted in strict accordance with international law. The captured foreign mercenaries were soon released, as the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War requires the release of prisoners after the end of hostilities. The organizer of the coup was removed from all posts and convicted of high treason in accordance with Sealand laws, but he had a second - German - citizenship, so the German authorities became interested in his fate. The British Foreign Office refused to intervene in this matter, and German diplomats had to negotiate directly with Sealand. The senior legal adviser of the German embassy in London, Dr. Niemuller, arrived on the island, which became the pinnacle of the actual recognition of Sealand by real states. Prince Roy demanded diplomatic recognition of Sealand, but in the end, given the bloodless nature of the failed putsch, he agreed to verbal assurances and generously released Achenbach.
The losers continued to insist on their rights. They formed the government of Sealand in exile (FRG). Achenbach claimed to be the chairman of the Sealand Privy Council. In January 1989, he was arrested by the German authorities (who, of course, did not recognize his diplomatic status) and transferred his post to the Minister for Economic Cooperation Johannes Seiger, who soon became Prime Minister. Re-elected in 1994 and 1999.
On September 30, 1987, Great Britain announced the expansion of its territorial waters from 3 to 12 nautical miles. The next day, Sealand made a similar statement. There was no reaction from the British government to the expansion of Sealand's territorial waters. From the point of view of international law, this means that the maritime zone between the two countries should be divided equally. This fact is considered by supporters of Sealand's independence as a fact of its recognition. Although the lack of a bilateral agreement regulating this issue has caused dangerous incidents. Thus, in 1990, Sealand fired warning salvoes at a British ship that had unauthorizedly approached its border.
Unbeknownst to the government, Sealand's name was embroiled in a massive criminal scam. In 1997, Interpol came to the attention of an extensive international syndicate that had established trade in fake Sealand passports (Sealand itself never traded passports and did not provide political asylum). Over 150 thousand fake passports (including diplomatic ones), as well as driver's licenses, university diplomas and other fake documents were sold to citizens of Hong Kong (during its transfer to Chinese control) and Eastern Europe. In several European countries, attempts were recorded to open bank accounts and even purchase weapons using Sealand passports. The attackers' headquarters were in Germany, and their area of activity covered Spain, Great Britain, France, Slovenia, Romania and Russia. Russian citizen Igor Popov appeared in the case as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sealand. In the United States, a connection was discovered between this case and the murder of Gianni Versace (the killer committed suicide on a yacht whose owner had a fake Sealand diplomatic passport). The Sealand government fully cooperated with the investigation and canceled the passports after this unfortunate incident.
In 2000, the HavenCo company hosted its hosting in Sealand, in return the government pledged to guarantee the inviolability of freedom of information legislation (everything is allowed on the Internet in Sealand, except spam, hacking attacks and child pornography). HavenCo hoped that being located on sovereign territory would save it from the restrictions of British internet law. HavenCo ceased to exist in 2008.
On June 23, 2006, the state of Sealand suffered the worst natural disaster in its history. A fire broke out on the platform, the cause of which was said to be a short circuit. The fire destroyed almost all buildings. As a result of the fire, one victim was taken by a British BBC rescue helicopter to a UK hospital. The state was restored quite quickly: by November of the same year.
In January 2007, the country's owners announced their intention to sell it. Immediately after this, the torrent site The Pirate Bay began collecting funds for the purchase of Sealand.
In January 2009, Spanish real estate agency Inmo-Naranja announced its intention to put Sealand up for sale for €750 million.
The government of Sealand on its official website announced the start of tourist trips from the summer of 2012. As of July 19, a government spokesman reports in private correspondence that “the tourism program is in the final stages of preparation.”
Official website of the State of Sealand -
The smallest state in the world! What is it like? What is its area and how many people live there? This article will help you understand this.
First, let's determine which state is the smallest in the world. According to Wikipedia it is dwarf enclave state of the Vatican, which is located in Rome. Its area is 0.44 sq. km, and the population is approximately 800 people. Agree, these numbers are quite large! (naturally for the smallest state in the world).
About the Vatican - not the smallest state in the world I didn’t stop at the Vatican and continued my search for the smallest state in the world:
And it caught my eye Principality of Sealand, which is microstate– well, why not the state? This principality has sovereignty over the territory of an offshore platform in the North Sea, just 10 kilometers from the coast of Great Britain. This microstate has its own flag, coat of arms, hymn and even motto - well, everything is as it should be!
By the way, the Principality of Sealand from English. Principality of Sealand translated as “sea land”
Flag and Coat of Arms of the microstate of Sealand - Sealand's motto is: “E Mare Libertas”, which translated means “Freedom of the Seas”.
- The anthem is called exactly the same as the motto!
Now let's look at the main characteristics the smallest state - the Principality of Sealand: this is the area and population:
- The territory of the principality covers an area of only 0.00055 sq. km, of which 100% is water territory!
- And the population of this state is just... 3 persons!
But Sealand is the most famous microstate in the world not only because of its size, the history of this state is also very strange and exciting!
Sealand was originally a sea fort dating back to World War II. Its task was to deter German air raids. In 1967, Paddy Roy Bates took over the fort and used it to launch a pirate radio station, after which he and his family declared this place an independent sovereign state, including even the issuance of passports.
Imagine! Just like that they just took it and declared their independence! But, of course, not everything is so simple.
Bates argued that the nation was given de facto statehood when Germany sent a diplomat here, and already in 1968 a British court made the following decision: Due to its location in international waters (10 km from the UK coast - see above), Sealand is outside UK jurisdiction.
A significant event took place here in 1978. While Bates was away, the Prime Minister of Sealand, Alexander Achenbach, carried out an armed seizure of the facility and Bates' son, Michael. Michael was held hostage for several days and was later released in the Netherlands.
Bates released the foreign participants in the takeover, but not Achenbach, who had Sealand’s passport (well, of course: the Prime Minister, after all). Achenbach was accused of high treason against a microstate.
Incidents of this kind are very common in Sealand. I would like to tell you about one more of them, which happened not very long ago:
In 1990, a British ship was shot for trespassing on Sealand. And what? Let them not violate state borders the smallest state in the world - the Principality of Sealand!