Residual finiteness of fundamental groups of surfaces.

What is a simple way to prove that for any compact two-dimensional surface $S$ and an element $g$ in $\mathbb \pi_1(S)$ there exists a finite index normal subgroup $\Gamma\subset \pi_1(S)$ such that $g\notin \Gamma$?

In fact, who was first to prove this statement?

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It is a finitely generated subgroup of invertible matrices with coefficients in an algebraic extension of the rationals? –  Charlie Frohman Jun 9 '11 at 16:54
Certainly, the surface groups are lattices in $SL_2({\mathbb C})$. But that is harder to prove than residual finiteness (I think). –  Mark Sapir Jun 9 '11 at 17:05
Charlie, thanks for the comment! Unfortunately it is not simple enough for me to understand... You don't suggest to use residual finiteness of linear groups? Also, how do you prove what you wrote? You are more than welcome to develop your comment into a full answer! –  aglearner Jun 9 '11 at 17:05
So the statement is that for Riemann surfaces, the topological group injects into the algebraic fundamental group (the profinite completion of the former). If it is OK to ask questions in comments, I would like to know if this holds more generally for smooth complex algebraic varieties. –  Piotr Achinger Jun 9 '11 at 17:31
For higher-dimensional projective varieties the result is false. In fact, D. Toledo has constructed examples with non-residually finite fundamental group, see archive.numdam.org/article/PMIHES_1993__77__103_0.pdf –  Francesco Polizzi Jun 9 '11 at 17:36

Could you possibly clarify, which homomorphism $\pi_1(F)\to S_3$ is meant in this proof? –  mathreader Dec 29 '11 at 4:49