The photo of the gunman pointing his weapon at the Bulgarian Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) party founder Ahmed Dogan has made the AFP compilation of the most striking images of 2013.

The 110 pictures have been taken by France Presse photo reporters all over the world and are presented as a retrospection of local issues. They have been selected for their quality and effect.

On January 19, 2013, police in Bulgaria's capital Sofia detained 25-year-old Oktay Enimehmedov after he pointed a gun at Dogan as he was delivering his resignation speech at a party conference in the capital Sofia. No shots were fired.

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.

Enimehmedov was therefore indicted on attempted murder charges. He was also charged with "indecent actions that are grossly violating the public order and showing clear lack of respect for society."

Dogan, who is now the honorary lifetime chairman of the liberal, predominantly ethnic Turkish, DPS, has not shown up in public since the January 19 incident.

At the end of November, the former politician was removed as witness in the trial against Enimehmedov because of his ailing health.

According to local media, Dogan is suffering from severe depression as a result of the incident.

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