Bulgaria's Dogan Won't File Civil Suit Against His Attacker

Oktay Enimehmedov, the man who pointed a gas pistol at influential Bulgarian politician Ahmed Dogan earlier this year, is escorted to the courtroom. Photo by BGNES

Long-term and informal leader of ethnic Turkish Party DPS has given up his right to file a civil lawsuit against Oktay Enimehmedov, who pointed a gun at the key politician on January 19, 2013.

Ahmed Dogan will not file a civil suit against Enimehmedov, according to a petition filed on Tuesday to the The Sofia City Court.

The high-profile trial against Oktay Enimehmedov, the man who shocked Bulgaria by pointing a gas pistol at the key politician earlier in 2013, has finally kicked off, even though Dogan has called in sick and was absent.

Enimehmedov refused the option of an expedited trial procedure, one that would reduce his sentence with one-third in case he admits the facts contained in the indictment.

The defendant also asked the court to exclude his parents from the list of witnesses that will testify, because he doesn't want “to worry them”.

Metin Enimehmedov, brother of Oktay Enimehmedov is expected to testify at the hearing.

On January 19, police in Bulgaria detained 25-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 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.”

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!