Oktay Enimehmedov, the man who shocked Bulgaria by pointing a gas pistol at ethnic Turkish party leader Ahmed Dogan, will remain in custody, a local court ruled on Monday.

The Sofia City Court believes there is a real risk that Enimehmedov may commit another offence if he leaves custody.

The court has reminded Enimehmedov’s statement that he does not feel remorse for his actions.

On January 19, police in Bulgaria detained 27-year-old Oktay Enimehmedov after he pointed a gun at Ahmed Dogan, then leader of the opposition predominantly 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 heavily beaten by DPS delegates after the attack.

The young ethnic Turk stated that he did not actually want to kill Dogan, but to scare him. The gun was established to have been a gas pistol.

It was initially believed that he would only face grave hooliganism charges.

However, experts 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 was charged with a murder attempt.

Enimehmedov may face 15 years behind bars – or even life imprisonment – if sentenced.

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