Trial against Dogan Attacker Fails to Kick Off

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

The high-profile case against Oktay Enimehmedov, the man who shocked Bulgaria in February by pointing a gas gun at key politician Ahmed Dogan, failed to kick off on Wednesday - as Dogan did not show up in court.

The Sofia City Court postponed the first hearing in the trial for September 24, when the victim will be obliged to appear in court.

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.

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.”

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