A still grab from a broadcast by Bulgarian television channel bTV shows Enimehmedov (R) pointing a gun at Ahmet Dogan (C), leader of the party of the Turkish minority in Bulgaria, during a party conference. Photo by EPA/BGNES
Oktay Enimehmedov, the man who shocked Bulgaria by pointing a gas pistol at former ethnic Turkish party leader Ahmed Dogan, has been now charged with attempting to assassinate him.
It was initially believed that Enimehmedov would only face grave hooliganism charges.
However, experts have told the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office that gas pistol shots can cause death if fired at a range closer than one centimeter from the temple, mouth or eyes. Therefore, the attacker will face assassination attempt charges, according to local news agencies.
Enimehmedov may face 15 years behind bars – or even life imprisonment – if sentenced.
On January 19, police in Bulgaria detained 25-year-old Oktay Enimehmedov after he pointed a gun at Ahmed Dogan, leader of the opposition ethnic Turkish party Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) as he was delivering a speech at the party conference in the capital Sofia. No shots were fired.
Enimehmedov was lynched by DPS delegates after the attack.
The youngster stated that he did not actually want to kill Dogan, but to scare him. The gun was established to have been a gas pistol.
On Monday, Enimehmedov’s neighbors endorsed him to run for MP in the upcoming Bulgarian snap elections.