WOTAN CITY, LADONIA — The Royal Republic of Ladonia has issued a formal statement after being named in multiple media reports involving a Ghaziabad man arrested for operating a fake embassy and impersonating diplomats of several self-declared nations — including Ladonia.
The suspect, Harsh Vardhan Jain, was taken into custody earlier this week by India’s Special Task Force (STF) after allegedly defrauding individuals by claiming to represent micronations such as Westarctica, Seborga, and “Lodonia” (an intentional misspelling of Ladonia.) He reportedly ran the operation out of a rented bungalow in Kavi Nagar, complete with fake diplomatic license plates, forged passports, and doctored photos with prominent Indian leaders.
Authorities have also linked Jain to hawala transactions, shell companies, and a long trail of falsified diplomatic paraphernalia, including business cards, embassy signage, and consular flags.
A Misused Connection
Records confirm that Mr. Jain applied for symbolic Ladonian citizenship on 12 November 2016 and paid for an honorary barony at that time. The Ladonian government emphasizes that this title was purely symbolic and does not convey any legal authority, privileges, or diplomatic standing.
In November 2017, Jain created and circulated a forged certificate claiming he had been appointed Ladonia’s Ambassador to India and authorized to open an embassy in New Delhi. The document was falsely backdated to 15 September 2016 — an apparent attempt to predate the official appointment of Navreen Kumar, who had been named Ladonia’s symbolic Ambassador to India on 26 December 2016. The forgery was never acknowledged, and Jain was never granted any role or entered into any communication with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Navreen Kumar has since left the role, and Ladonia currently maintains no symbolic diplomatic posts or consular representation in India.
According to officials, Jain repeatedly contacted Ladonian ministers by email and social media over the course of a year, pressuring the government to retroactively appoint him as Ambassador and legitimize his forged documents. His requests were consistently denied, and no official recognition was ever granted.
Official Response
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yvan Bertjens, issued a public statement on X on 23 July 2025 to clarify the micronation’s position:
“While Mr. Harsh Vardhan Jain holds an honorary Ladonian barony, he is not, and has never been, a diplomat or official representative of Ladonia.
The Royal Republic of Ladonia does not issue passports, visas, work permits, or residency authorizations. All Ladonian citizenship is symbolic and cultural in nature.
We have no diplomats or consular officials currently operating in India, nor do we maintain any embassies or consulates abroad.”
Cautionary Policies
Ladonia has long been aware of misunderstandings surrounding its symbolic citizenship. In particular, applications from India and Pakistan have often included language suggesting the applicant believed Ladonian documents would grant access to European work or residency opportunities — something Ladonia has never offered.
As a result, Ladonia currently does not accept new citizenship or nobility applications from those countries, citing a responsibility to prevent the misuse of its documentation and to avoid unintentionally contributing to fraud or immigration violations.
A Word from the Throne
Queen Carolyn I of Ladonia responded to the news, stating:
“Ladonia stands for art, truth, and creative freedom — not deception. It is deeply disappointing to see our symbols misused in this way, and we reaffirm our commitment to transparency, nonviolence, and the rule of law.”
A Reminder of Purpose
Founded in 1996 by artist Lars Vilks, Ladonia exists as a work of living conceptual art and a symbol of freedom of expression. Located adjacent to Sweden on the Kullaberg peninsula, it is the home of the famed driftwood sculpture Nimis and the stone monument Arx.
Ladonia welcomes citizens from around the world in a spirit of artistic rebellion and cultural exploration — but it does not grant legal residency, travel rights, or employment status. Titles of nobility and citizenship are symbolic and meant to honor creativity and support for the nation’s mission.
For official information or clarification, readers are encouraged to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly at [email protected].
