Chilean detained for claiming diplomatic immunity of fictional Republic of Lemuria
A Chilean citizen was detained in Chile after invoking diplomatic immunity of a non-existent country. Google News CL — Crime reports the unusual case.
Detained in Chile for invoking immunity of a country that does not exist
Google News CL — Crime reports that a Chilean citizen was detained on national territory after claiming diplomatic immunity in the name of the self-styled Republic of Lemuria, a fictional country without international recognition.
The man invoked this diplomatic status before the authorities as an argument to evade legal proceedings. The law enforcement forces did not accept the argument and proceeded with his detention.
The Republic of Lemuria does not appear in any registry of international organisations such as the UN and has no recognition from any state. The concept of "Lemuria" stems from a nineteenth-century geographical theory, later adopted by esoteric currents, which postulated the existence of a continent submerged in the Indian Ocean.
The case falls within a trend known internationally as the "sovereign citizen" movement, in which individuals reject state jurisdiction by appealing to non-existent legal frameworks or entities. Chilean authorities have not provided additional details about the charges facing the detained man.
Source: Google News CL — Crime