Around noon on January 17 protesters gathered on Orlov Most (Eagle's Bridge) in the centre of Bulgaria's capital Sofia in the first protest against the visit of Russian president Putin.

The protest had been organised by a number of non-governmental organisations, among which Association for Freedom of Speech “Anna Politkovskaya”.

Around 100 protesters were present at the protest. Police had blocked the streets and the bridge and kept people from joining the protesters who were already on the brigde. Police told people that the protest had moved to Pozitano street.

Those stopped by the police gathered in front of the Tsarevets building at the corner of Orlov Most.

Passers-by were let through the underground passages.

Protester carried posters saying First freedom, then deals with Big Brother, Down with mafia, Power to the citizens, Bulgaria = state security oligarchy, Enough Russian colonisation and Putin leave Bulgaria.