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Fresh clashes over Estonia statue | Fresh clashes over Estonia statue |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets 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. |
Water cannon were deployed and volleys of shots rang out as police confronted youths who threw petrol bombs. | 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 mainly ethnic Russians and police. One person died on Friday. | |
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. | 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 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. |
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. | 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". | 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 comments | HAVE 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." |