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Fresh clashes over Estonia statue Fresh clashes over Estonia statue
(about 3 hours later)
More than 300 people were detained and at least 10 hurt after a second night of riots in Estonia's capital Tallinn.More than 300 people were detained and at least 10 hurt after a second night of riots in Estonia's capital Tallinn.
Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets after new clashes erupted over the removal of a Soviet war memorial. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets after new clashes with mainly ethnic Russian protesters erupted over the removal of a Soviet war memorial.
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. Meanwhile Russian officials said a man who died in clashes on Thursday night was a Russian national.
One person died and more than 40 were injured after Thursday night's clashes. A Foreign Ministry statement said the Estonian authorities had at first denied that any Russian citizens were among the casualties.
The man, who was a resident of Estonia, has been named only as Dmitry.
The Estonian authorities have said he was stabbed by another demonstrator and that police had no involvement in his death.
LootingLooting
The monument was removed on Friday and taken to a secret location.
Correspondents said a crowd of more than 1,000 demonstrators gathered on Friday evening where the monument used to stand.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
Violence broke out in Tallinn's Freedom Square. A BBC reporter saw at least five injured people being carried away. Some of the protesters threw petrol bombs, while others waved Russian flags and chanted "Rossiya, Rossiya" (Russia, Russia).
Some of the demonstrators waved Russian flags and chanted "Rossiya, Rossiya" (Russia, Russia). Department stores and other shops in the city centre were looted.
There were reports of looting at department stores and other shops.
AFP news agency said the country's parliament was barricaded.
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.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 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.AFP 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.
By Saturday morning the situation in central Tallinn was described as calm, but the authorities are braced for more trouble.
Squads of police were seen moving around the area where the memorial used to stand.
The BBC's Richard Galpin in Tallinn says the security forces cannot afford to take chances, with more protests expected on Saturday night.
The decision to remove the Soviet monument has strained relations with Russia, which called it "blasphemous".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. And for local ethnic Russians it is one insult too many, our correspondent says, after what they feel has been years of discrimination against them by the majority Estonian population.
'Criminal riots' Whereabouts unknown
More than a quarter of Estonia's 1.3m people are ethnically Russian, and speak the language.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 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
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." However, half of them do not have Estonian citizenship.
But the Estonians believe much of the tension is being whipped up by forces outside the country, i.e. Russia itself.
During the years of Soviet occupation after World War II, tens of thousands of Estonians were killed. And they say their country was effectively colonised with many Russians being brought in as workers and military personnel.
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.