Estonia removed a statue of a Red Army soldier in the capital city of Tallinn because it symbolized the occupation by the Soviet Union. They moved the statue to a military cemetery outside the city.

The case shows what powerful resonance the memory of the war dead has in many societies. The reference to the Russian military cemetery in Estonia makes me wonder what sort of international agreements are being negotiated now, after the breakup of the Soviet Union, to care for the cemeteries in newly independent former parts of the country.

Estonia’s decision to remove the statue of a Red Army soldier sparked riots last week. One Russian died and 153 were injured in clashes with police.

Protesters are now blockading Estonias Moscow embassy, according to officials.

Estonians say the soldier symbolised Soviet occupation. Russians say it is a tribute to those who fought the Nazis.

It has now been relocated to a military cemetery, away from the centre of the capital Tallinn.

The complete article from the BBC: Estonia unearths Soviet war dead