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Fresh clashes over Estonia statue Fresh clashes over Estonia statue
(about 7 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. More than 300 people were detained and at least 10 hurt after a second night of riots in Estonia's capital Tallinn.
Water cannon were deployed and volleys of shots rang out as police confronted youths who threw petrol bombs. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets after new clashes erupted over the removal of a Soviet war memorial.
It was the second night of clashes between mainly ethnic Russians and police. One person died on Friday. Police were confronted by mainly ethnic Russian demonstrators, some of whom threw petrol bombs and were involved in looting.
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. One person died and more than 40 were injured after Thursday night's clashes.
Looting
Correspondents said a crowd of more than 1,000 demonstrators gathered on Friday evening 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 SayESTONIA-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. Violence broke out in Tallinn's Freedom Square. A BBC reporter saw at least five injured people being carried away.
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. Some of the demonstrators waved Russian flags and chanted "Rossiya, Rossiya" (Russia, Russia).
The decision to remove the monument has strained relations with Russia, which called it "blasphemous". There were reports of looting at department stores and other shops.
By Saturday morning the situation in central Tallinn was described as calm, but the authorities are braced for more trouble.
There were also reports of rioting and looting in the towns of Johvi and Kohtla-Jarve, in a mainly ethnic Russian region northeast of Tallinn.
AFP news agency said that in Johvi looters set fire to a statue of an Estonian general who fought the Russians during the country's 1918 war of independence.
The decision to remove the Soviet 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.
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'
More than a quarter of Estonia's 1.3m people are ethnically Russian, and speak the language.
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
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."
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
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.
"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."