Founded a country at age 14, now he is banned from entering it

Daniel Jackson founded the 'Free Republic of Verdis' at age 14 on a disputed territory between Croatia and Serbia. In 2023, he was expelled by Croatian police and permanently banned from entering. He now runs the country from Dover, England, as a president in exile.

Daniel Jackson founded the 'Free Republic of Verdis' at age 14 on a disputed territory between Croatia and Serbia, along the Danube River. What started as a joke among friends turned into a project with a flag, passports, a government, and about 400 registered citizens. In 2023, Jackson attempted to enter the territory, but Croatian police removed him and banned him permanently. Since then, he has been running the country from Dover, England, as a president in exile. In October 2026, he received a humanitarian award at the UN headquarters in New York, but the UN has not recognized his state. Jackson continues to work toward international recognition.