Virtual State of Sealand (Principality) - a microstate on a sea platform in the North Sea

Which country is the smallest? Many will answer: the Vatican. However, ten kilometers from the coast of Britain is a tiny independent state - Sealand. The Principality is located on an abandoned sea platform.

Prehistory

The Rafs Tower platform ("bullies tower" in English) was built during the Second World War. To protect against fascist bombers off the coast of Britain, several such platforms were installed. They were located gun-zenith complex, which guarded and served 200 soldiers.

The Rafs Tower, which later became a physical territory occupied by a virtual state, was six miles from the mouth of the Thames. And the territorial waters of Britain ended three miles from the shore. Thus, the platform was in neutral waters. After the end of the war, weapons from all forts were dismantled, platforms close to the shore were destroyed. And Rafs-Tower remained abandoned.

In the sixties of the last century, radio pirates began actively exploring the coastal waters of England. Roy Bates, a retired major of the British army, was one of them. His first radio station Radio Essex he organized on another platform, ousting his colleagues from there. However, in 1965 he was fined for violating the law on wireless telegraph, and he had to look for a new place for the radio station.

Together with Ronan O'Rahilli's friend, the major decided to take the Rafs Tower and create an amusement park on the platform. However, the friends quarreled soon, and Roy Bates began to master the platform on his own. He even had to defend the right to her with weapons in his hands.

History of creation

The idea with the amusement park failed. But Bates could not recreate the radio station, despite the fact that he had all the necessary equipment. The fact is that in 1967 the law began to act, which made broadcasting a crime, including from neutral waters. Now, even the location of the platform could not save Bates from persecution by the state.

But what if the waters cease to be 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 proclaimed the platform an independent state and named it Siland, and declared himself the ruler of a new country, Prince Roy I Bates. Accordingly, his wife became Princess John I.

Of course, Roy originally 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-bred state of Sealand had a physical territory, albeit small - 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 80's. 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

In the territorial waters of England there were three more such platforms. Just in case, the government decided to get rid of them. The platforms were blown up. One of the ships of the Navy that was carrying out this mission swam to Silenda. The ship's team stated that this platform will soon be destroyed. To which the inhabitants of the principality responded with 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 arms. The trial began against Prince Bates. On September 2, 1968, the Essex judge made a historic decision: he ruled that the case was outside British jurisdiction. This fact has become official evidence that Britain has abandoned its rights to the platform.

Attempted coup

In August 1978, there was a coup d'état in the country. Between the ruler of the state Roy Bates and his closest aide, Count Alexander Gottfried Achenbach, a conflict arose because of the policy of attracting foreign investments into the country. Men accused each other of unconstitutional intentions.

When the prince went to Austria to negotiate with potential investors, the count decided to forcefully capture the platform. At that time in the territory of Silenda was only Michael (Michael) I Bates, son of Roy and heir to the throne. Achenbach together with several mercenaries seized the platform, and the young prince was locked for a few days in a cabin without windows. After this, Michael was taken to the Netherlands, 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. How to deal with 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'état under the laws of the principality. He was convicted and dismissed from all government posts. Since the traitor was a citizen of the FRG, the German authorities were interested in his fate. Britain refused to interfere in this conflict.

The German official arrived in Siland to talk with Prince Roy. As a result of the intervention of the German diplomat Achenbach was released.

Illegal Government

What else did Ahenbach undertake 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 Silenda in exile. He also claimed that he was the chairman of a secret council.

Germany did not recognize the diplomatic status of Achenbach, and in 1989 he was arrested. The post of the head of the illegal government of Silenda was occupied by Johannes Seiger, the former minister for economic cooperation.

Expansion of the territory

In 1987, Sealand (Principality) expanded its territorial waters. He announced this desire on September 30, and the next day the same statement was made by the United Kingdom. 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 issue, and the UK did not make any statements, the Government of Sieland considered the disputed territory divided according to international norms.

This led to an unpleasant incident. In 1990, a British ship approached the shores of the principality unauthorizedly. The inhabitants of Siland made several warning shots into the air.

Passports

In 1975, the virtual state began issuing its own passports, including diplomatic ones. But the honest name of Silenda was discredited when an illegal government in exile participated in a major scam worldwide. In 1997, Interpol began to look for the origin of a huge number of false documents supposedly issued in Silende.

Passports, driving 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, open a bank account, buy weapons. The Government of Sylland assisted the investigation. After this incident, all passports, including those issued absolutely legally, were withdrawn and abolished.

Constitution, state symbols, form of government

After the Great Britain recognized in 1968 that Siland was outside its jurisdiction, the inhabitants decided that this was an actual recognition of the country's independence. After 7 years, in 1975, state symbols were developed - anthem, flag and coat of arms. At the same time, the Constitution was issued, including the preamble and 7 articles. New government decisions are formalized in the form of decrees.

The flag of Silenda is a combination of three colors - red, black and white. In the upper left corner - a red triangle, in the lower right - a black triangle. Between them - a white band.

The flag and the coat of arms are the official symbols of Silenda. The coat of arms of Silenda depicts two lions with fish tails, which hold in their paws the shield of the colors of the flag. Under the coat of arms is the motto, which reads: "Freedom is from the sea". The anthem of the state, written by the composer Vasily Simonenko, is also called.

According to the state system, Siland is a monarchy. In the structure of the board there are three ministries - foreign affairs, internal affairs and telecommunications and technology.

Coins and stamps

Since 1972, the coins of Silenda have been issued. The first silver coin with the image of Princess John and a sailing vessel was issued in 1972. From 1972 to 1994, several types of coins were produced mainly from silver, gold and bronze, with obverse portraits of portraits of John and Roy or a dolphin, and on the reverse - a sailboat or coat of arms. The monetary unit of the principality is the Silesian dollar, which is tied to the US dollar rate.

In the period from 1969 to 1977 the state issued postage stamps. For some time they were accepted by the post of Belgium.

Population

The first ruler of Silenda was Prince Roy Bates. In 1990, he transferred all rights to his son and went to live with Spain together with the princess. Roy died in 2012, his wife John in 2016. At the moment, the ruler is Prince Michael I Bates. He has an heir, James Bates, who is the prince of Silenda. In 2014, James was born the son of 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 varied from 3 to 27 people at different times. Now on the platform there are about ten people a 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 Saint Brendan the seafarer. Sieland does not stand aside from sports achievements. Despite the fact that the population of the principality is not enough to form sports teams, some unrecognized states are represented by some athletes. There is even a football team.

Sealand and Internet

With respect to the Internet, a simple law operates on the territory of the state - everything is allowed, except for spam, hacker attacks and child pornography. Therefore, Siland, which began as a pirate radio station, is still an attractive area for modern pirates. For 8 years, HavenCo servers were located on the territory of the principality. After the company's closure, the principality continues to provide services for hosting servers of various organizations.

Legal status

Unlike other self-proclaimed states, Siland has little chance of gaining recognition. The principality has a physical territory, it was founded before the expansion of Britain's water borders. The platform was abandoned, which means that its settlement can be regarded as colonization. Thus, Roy Bates could really establish a state in free territory. However, in order for Sieland to obtain full rights, it must be recognized by other states.

Sale of Sealand

In 2006 there was a fire on the platform. Substantial funds were needed for the restoration. In 2007, the principality was put up for sale for a price of 750 million euros. The platform intended to acquire The Pirate Bay, but the parties could not agree.

Sealand today

You can not just find out which country is the smallest, but also support the government of the rebel platform in the pursuit of independence. Anyone can donate money to the coffers of the principality. In addition, on the official site you can buy various souvenirs, coins, stamps.

Just for 6 euros you can create a personal address for Seland e-mail. For 25 euros order an official identity card. For those who have dreamed of their title all their lives, Siland gives such an opportunity. It is quite official according to the laws of the principality that 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.

To date, the principality of Sealand is managed by Michael I Bates. Like his father, he stands for freedom of information, and the hooligan tower remains the bulwark of modern information pirates.