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Estonia memorial move 'blasphemy' | Estonia memorial move 'blasphemy' |
(10 minutes later) | |
Russia has condemned the removal by Estonian authorities of a contentious Red Army war memorial as blasphemous and inhuman. | Russia has condemned the removal by Estonian authorities of a contentious Red Army war memorial as blasphemous and inhuman. |
Estonia was mocking the dead, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. | Estonia was mocking the dead, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. |
One person was killed and more than 40 injured in street unrest as the statue was removed from the capital, Tallinn. Police used tear gas and water cannon. | One person was killed and more than 40 injured in street unrest as the statue was removed from the capital, Tallinn. Police used tear gas and water cannon. |
Russia said the memorial should not have been moved, but many Estonians saw it as a reminder of Soviet rule. | Russia said the memorial should not have been moved, but many Estonians saw it as a reminder of Soviet rule. |
More than 300 of the mostly ethnic Russian demonstrators who were protesting against the statue's removal were arrested during the overnight clashes. | More than 300 of the mostly ethnic Russian demonstrators who were protesting against the statue's removal were arrested during the overnight clashes. |
Secret location | Secret location |
The removal provoked angry condemnation from Russian officials and lawmakers. | The removal provoked angry condemnation from Russian officials and lawmakers. |
ESTONIA-RUSSIA TIES 1918: Estonia gained independence from Russia 1940: Forcibly incorporated into Soviet Union1941-1944: Occupied by Nazi Germany1944: Soviets return as Nazis retreat1991: Gains independence as Soviet Union collapses1994: Last Russian forces leave EstoniaNow: Ethnic Russians make up quarter of Estonia's 1.3m people History at the heart of row In pictures: Estonia clashes Have Your Say | ESTONIA-RUSSIA TIES 1918: Estonia gained independence from Russia 1940: Forcibly incorporated into Soviet Union1941-1944: Occupied by Nazi Germany1944: Soviets return as Nazis retreat1991: Gains independence as Soviet Union collapses1994: Last Russian forces leave EstoniaNow: Ethnic Russians make up quarter of Estonia's 1.3m people History at the heart of row In pictures: Estonia clashes Have Your Say |
Mr Lavrov said Russia would "take serious steps" following the removal and Russia's Senate called for diplomatic relations with Estonia to be cut. | Mr Lavrov said Russia would "take serious steps" following the removal and Russia's Senate called for diplomatic relations with Estonia to be cut. |
Estonia's government would not reveal where it took the six-foot (1.83m) statue, but spokesman Martin Jasko said it would ultimately be placed at the military cemetery in Tallinn. | Estonia's government would not reveal where it took the six-foot (1.83m) statue, but spokesman Martin Jasko said it would ultimately be placed at the military cemetery in Tallinn. |
The memorial, a bronze statue of a Soviet soldier, was erected in 1947. The remains of Soviet soldiers are thought to be buried nearby. | The memorial, a bronze statue of a Soviet soldier, was erected in 1947. The remains of Soviet soldiers are thought to be buried nearby. |
Estonian officials said it had to be moved to a cemetery because the site attracted both Russian and Estonian nationalists. | Estonian officials said it had to be moved to a cemetery because the site attracted both Russian and Estonian nationalists. |
'Not justified' | 'Not justified' |
By Thursday evening, around 1,000 demonstrators gathered as police sealed off the site ahead of the removal. | By Thursday evening, around 1,000 demonstrators gathered as police sealed off the site ahead of the removal. |
The memorial has inspired violence between communities | The memorial has inspired violence between communities |
There were reports of looting and vandalism, and police used tear gas and a water cannon when a group tried to break through a cordon around the monument. Several police were among the injured, reports said. | There were reports of looting and vandalism, and police used tear gas and a water cannon when a group tried to break through a cordon around the monument. Several police were among the injured, reports said. |
"The aim of the government move was to prevent further similar gross violations of public order, which pose a real threat to citizens' health and property," an Estonian government statement said. | "The aim of the government move was to prevent further similar gross violations of public order, which pose a real threat to citizens' health and property," an Estonian government statement said. |
Ethnic Russians, who make up more than a quarter of Estonia's 1.3 million population, say that the statue commemorates Red Army soldiers who died fighting Nazi Germany. | Ethnic Russians, who make up more than a quarter of Estonia's 1.3 million population, say that the statue commemorates Red Army soldiers who died fighting Nazi Germany. |
HAVE YOUR SAY The statue was a symbol of occupation in Estonia and should have been removed in 1991 Kaarel, Tallinn class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6233&start=0&edition=2&ttl=20070427120847">Send us your comments "International organisations should examine [the events in Tallinn] in all seriousness and take any necessary steps to cool the ardour of the Estonian authorities," RIA Novosti news agency quoted Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin as saying. | |
But on Thursday, Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip said the relocation of the memorial was a matter for Estonia alone. | But on Thursday, Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip said the relocation of the memorial was a matter for Estonia alone. |
"We don't consider it necessary to hold deep discussions with the Russian authorities over the internal affairs of Estonia," he said. | "We don't consider it necessary to hold deep discussions with the Russian authorities over the internal affairs of Estonia," he said. |