At least seventeen-four people were reported injured and more than 300 detained as clashes erupted following the removal of a Soviet war memorial in the Estonian capital, Tallinn.

Rioting and looting was also reported in the towns of Johvi and Kohtla-Jarve, in a mainly ethnic Russian region northeast of Tallinn.

BBC correspondents said a crowd of more than 1,000 demonstrators gathered on Friday evening where the monument used to stand.

There were reports of looting at department stores and other shops.

AFP news agency said the country's parliament was barricaded.

It was the second night of clashes between mainly ethnic Russians and police. One person died on Friday.

The monument was removed on Friday and taken to a secret location. Estonia says the memorial symbolised Soviet occupation. Supporters say it celebrated heroes who fought the Nazis.

By Saturday morning the situation in central Tallinn was described as calm, but the authorities are braced for more trouble, BBC reported.

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