Which country is the smallest? Many will answer: the Vatican. However, ten kilometers from the coast of Great Britain is a tiny independent state - Sealand. The Principality is located on an abandoned offshore platform.
Backstory
The Roughs Tower platform was built during World War II. To protect against fascist 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 that the virtual state occupied, was located six miles from the mouth of the Thames. And the territorial waters of Britain ended three miles from the coast. Thus, the platform was in neutral waters. After the end of the war, the weapons from all the forts were dismantled, the platforms that were close to the coast were destroyed. And Roughs 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 major in the British Army, was one of them. He organized his first radio station, Radio Essex, on a different platform, displacing his colleagues from there. However, in 1965 he was fined for violating the wireless telegraph law and had to find a new location for the radio station.
Together with his friend Ronan O'Rahilly, the major decided to occupy the Roughs Tower and create an amusement park on the platform. However, friends soon quarreled, and Roy Bates began to independently master the platform. He even had to defend the right to her with weapons in his hands.
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 began to operate that made broadcasting a crime, including from neutral waters. Now even the location of the platform could not save Bates from government persecution.
But what if the waters are no longer neutral? The retired major had a crazy, at first glance, idea - to proclaim the platform a separate state. On September 2, 1967, the former military man proclaimed 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 actions of the major would indeed be difficult to challenge in court. The newly minted state of Sealand had a physical territory, albeit a small one -only 0.004 square kilometers.
At the same time, the construction of the platform was quite 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 such platforms remained in the territorial waters of England. Just in case, the government decided to get rid of them. The platforms were blown up. One of the ships of the Navy, performing this task, sailed to Sealand. The ship's crew stated that this platform would soon be destroyed. To which the inhabitants of the principality responded with warning shots in 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 lawsuit 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 was official evidence that the UK has waived its rights to the platform.
Coup attempt
In August 1978, a coup d'état nearly took place in the country. Between the ruler of the state Roy Bates and his closest assistant, Count Alexander Gottfried Achenbach, a conflict arose 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 potentialinvestors, the Earl decided to seize the platform by force. At that moment, only Michael (Michael) I Bates, son of Roy and heir to the throne, was in Sealand. Achenbach, along with several mercenaries, seized the platform, and the young prince was locked up in a windowless cabin for several days. After that, 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. Mercenaries and Achenbach were captured. What to do with the people who betrayed Sealand? The Principality fully complied with the norms of international law. The Geneva Convention 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.
The German official arrived in 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 earl continued to insist on his rights and even organized the government of Sealand in exile. He also claimed to be the chairman of some secret council.
Germany did not recognize Achenbach's diplomatic status, and in 1989 he was arrested. The post of head of the illegal government of Sealand was taken over by Johannes Seiger, a former minister for economic cooperation.
Expansion of territory
In 1987, Sealand (principality) expanded its territorial waters. He announced such a desire on September 30, and the next day the UK made the same statement. In accordance with international law, the disputed maritime territory is divided equally between the two states.
Since there are no agreements between the countries on this matter, and the UK has not made any statements, the Sealand government considered the disputed territory divided according to international standards.
This led to an unfortunate incident. In 1990, a British ship approached the shores of the principality without permission. The people of Sealand fired several warning shots into the air.
Passports
In 1975, the virtual state began to issue its own passports, including diplomatic ones. But the good name of Sealand was tarnished when the illegitimate government-in-exile became involved in a massive worldwide scam. In 1997, Interpol began to look for the source of the huge number of false documents allegedly issued in Sealand.
Passports, driver's licenses, higher education diplomas and other documents were sold to residents of Hong Kong, Russia, the United States and European countries. According to these documents, people tried to cross the border, openbank account, buy weapons. The Sealand government has cooperated with 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 in 1968 that Sealand was outside its jurisdiction, the inhabitants decided that this was the actual recognition of the country's independence. After 7 years, in 1975, state symbols were developed - the anthem, flag and coat of arms. At the same time, the Constitution was issued, including the preamble and 7 articles. New government decisions are issued in the form of decrees.
The flag of Sealand is a combination of three colors - red, black and white. In the upper left corner is a red triangle, in the lower right corner is a black triangle. Between them 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. Under the coat of arms is the motto, which reads: "Freedom - from the sea." The anthem of the state, written by the composer Vasily Simonenko, is also called.
According to the state system, Sealand is a monarchy. There are three ministries in the board structure - foreign affairs, internal affairs and telecommunications and technology.
Coins and stamps
Since 1972, Sealand coins have been issued. The first silver coin depicting Princess Joanna and a sailing ship was issued in 1972. From 1972 to 1994several types of coins were issued, mainly from silver, gold and bronze, on the obverses of which the portraits of Joanna and Roy or a dolphin are depicted, and on the reverse - a sailboat or a coat of arms. The monetary unit of the Principality is the Sealand dollar, which is pegged to the US dollar.
From 1969 to 1977, the state issued postage stamps. For some time they were accepted by Belgian Post.
Population
The first ruler of Sealand was Prince Roy Bates. In 1990, he transferred all rights to his son and, together with the princess, went to live in Spain. 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 the State of Sealand today? The population of the principality at different times ranged from 3 to 27 people. Now there are about ten people on the platform every day.
Religion and sports
The Anglican Church operates on the territory of the Principality. Also on the platform there is a small chapel named after St. Brendan the Navigator. Sealand does not stand aside 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 soccer team.
Sealand and the Internet
A simple law applies to the Internet in the territory of the state - it is allowedeverything 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's servers were located on the territory of the Principality. After the closure of the company, the Principality continues to provide server hosting services 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 that its settlement can be considered as colonization. Thus, Roy Bates could indeed establish a state in a free territory. However, in order for Sealand to receive full rights, it must be recognized by other states.
Sale Sealand
In 2006, there was a fire on the platform. Significant funds were needed for the restoration. In 2007, the Principality was put up for sale for a price of 750 million euros. The Pirate Bay intended to acquire the platform, but the parties could not agree.
Sealand today
You can not only find out which country is the smallest, but also support the government of the rebellious platform in the pursuit of independence. Anyone can donate money to the treasury of the principality. In addition, various souvenirs, coins, stamps can be purchased on the official website.
For only 6 euros you can create a personal Sealand addressEmail. For 25 euros order an official identity 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 advocates freedom of information, and the hooligan tower remains a stronghold of modern information pirates.
