Israeli police said they are investigating Shai Karamosta, who recently declared himself leader of a new kingdom he founded, which he dubbed Yashar-El. Authorities’ main concern stems from the fact that he began issuing passports, license plates, and other documents from the “nation.”
Police said they became aware of Karamosta’s activities after an officer pulled over a car sporting a license plates issued by the kingdom of Yashar-El. The driver was stopped near the coastal city of Ashdod, and presented a document he claimed to be diplomatic credentials from the nation, which were convincing enough to make the officer let them go.
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Following that interaction, Israeli police opened an undercover investigation into the matter, which culminated last week in the arrest of Karamosta and his partner in central Israel over allegations of forgery and the use of fake documents, obstructing a police officer, impersonating a license holder, forging vehicle identification marks, and using a fake license plate, reports The Times of Israel.
The couple were arrested at a compound near Moshav Bitan Aharon, which was marked as the “formal post office” of the kingdom of Yashar-El. Police also searched the couple’s home in Hadera, which was labeled as the consulate of the nation. Despite a sign that warned “unauthorized entry without an official invitation is strictly prohibited,” police entered and found license plates and other documents there, too.
In a post on yashar-el.me, a representative for the kingdom said that Israeli police had illegally abducted “King Shai,” and claimed to have sent a letter to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Both Karamosta and his partner have now been released on restrictive conditions by the Acre Magistrate’s Court. Following their release, police say they will continue to investigate the matter.
