This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6602171.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
New clashes over Estonian statue Fresh clashes over Estonia statue
(about 1 hour later)
Police have fired tear gas and water cannon after clashes erupted following the removal of a Soviet war memorial in the Estonian capital, Tallinn. Police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets after clashes erupted following the removal of a Soviet war memorial in the Estonian capital, Tallinn.
Some protesters threw petrol bombs and volleys of shots were heard. It was not clear who was firing them. Water cannon were deployed and volleys of shots rang out as police confronted youths who threw petrol bombs.
It was the second night of clashes between ethnic Russians and police. One person has died in the violence.It was the second night of clashes between ethnic Russians and police. One person has died in the violence.
Estonia says the memorial symbolised Soviet occupation. Supporters say it celebrated heroes who fought the Nazis.Estonia says the memorial symbolised Soviet occupation. Supporters say it celebrated heroes who fought the Nazis.
The monument was removed on Friday and taken to a secret location.The monument was removed on Friday and taken to a secret location.
Correspondents said a crowd of more than 1,000 demonstrators gathered where the monument used to stand, some of them shouting: "Shame on the prime minister." Correspondents said a crowd of more than 1,000 demonstrators gathered where the monument used to stand.
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: Thursday's 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: Thursday clashes Have Your Say
Police had reportedly stopped buses entering Tallinn to try to stop protestors arriving.Police had reportedly stopped buses entering Tallinn to try to stop protestors arriving.
Russia has condemned Estonia's move as "blasphemous". But violence broke out in Tallinn's Freedom Square. A BBC reporter saw at least five injured people being carried away, and a police spokesman told the Associated Press news agency that 200 people had been arrested.
The decision to remove the monument has strained relations with Russia, which called it "blasphemous".
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia would "take serious steps", and Russia's Federation Council (upper house) called for diplomatic relations with Estonia to be cut.Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia would "take serious steps", and Russia's Federation Council (upper house) called for diplomatic relations with Estonia to be cut.
More than a quarter of Estonia's 1.3m people are ethnically Russian, and speak their original language.More than a quarter of Estonia's 1.3m people are ethnically Russian, and speak their original language.
One of the protesters told the BBC: "It's like neo-Nazism has raised its head. It will be a great disaster for connections between the two societies."One of the protesters told the BBC: "It's like neo-Nazism has raised its head. It will be a great disaster for connections between the two societies."
'Criminal riots''Criminal riots'
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.
HAVE YOUR SAY The statue was a symbol of occupation in Estonia and should have been removed in 1991 Kaarel, Tallinn Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The statue was a symbol of occupation in Estonia and should have been removed in 1991 Kaarel, Tallinn Send us your comments
The Estonian president, Toomas Ilves, defended the actions of police in breaking up the first night of demonstrations.The Estonian president, Toomas Ilves, defended the actions of police in breaking up the first night of demonstrations.
"All this had nothing to do with the peace of a burial site or preserving the memory of those who perished in WWII," he said."All this had nothing to do with the peace of a burial site or preserving the memory of those who perished in WWII," he said.
"The criminals of last night were not united by ethnicity but by the desire to riot, destroy and rob."The criminals of last night were not united by ethnicity but by the desire to riot, destroy and rob.
"The state cannot hesitate or stand back when order and security need to be restored.""The state cannot hesitate or stand back when order and security need to be restored."