Invasion and Recapture of Sealand
In 1977, a German businessman, along with other Germans and Dutch, invaded Sealand and took Bates's son, Michael, hostage. Prince Roy and others then launched a counterattack in the early hours of the morning to recapture the fort. He held the German and Dutch men as prisoners of war. Because one had accepted a Sealand Passport, he was held and convicted of treason while the rest were released. Germany then sent a diplomat to Britain to ask for intervention but Britain claimed they did not have jurisdiction. Germany then sent a diplomat to Sealand directly to negotiate the release of the prisoner. He was released, and the act of diplomatic negotiation is claimed by Roy to be de facto recognition of Sealand, while Germany denies it.
Read more about this topic: Paddy Roy Bates
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