One day, the prisoners got the message that the Scandinavians were going to be released and sent back to their home countries, but to Paltiel's misfortune, Quisling had removed the Norwegian Jews' citizenship, which meant that they would not be sent back.
Hans Seland, together with Hans Haga and Nils Trædal, were among the most influential politicians in the Agrarian Party (Norges Bondelag) to prevent this group from joining the fascist Nasjonal Samling of Vidkun Quisling.
Two other 770s were brought to Norway during the war, one for Josef Terboven and the other for Vidkun Quisling.
Together with farmer and author Hans Seland and farmer union leader Hans Haga he was among the main agrarian party leaders to prevent the party from joining the fascist movement Nasjonal Samling, led by Vidkun Quisling.
With the German invasion, a radio broadcast coup d'état by Vidkun Quisling followed, and German diplomat Curt Bräuer was sent to Norway to demand the abdication of the Norwegian King Haakon VII and Nygaardsvold's Cabinet.