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Gas pistol pointed at Bulgaria party leader Gas pistol pointed at Bulgaria party leader
(6 months later)
A Bulgarian opposition politician narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during a televised speech on Saturday, when a man climbed on the stage next to him and pointed a gun to his head at point-blank range.A Bulgarian opposition politician narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during a televised speech on Saturday, when a man climbed on the stage next to him and pointed a gun to his head at point-blank range.
Ahmed Dogan, the leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), which represents the Turkish minority in Bulgaria, escaped unharmed after his would-be assassin was wrestled to the ground by security guards, during the party congress in the capital Sofia.Ahmed Dogan, the leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), which represents the Turkish minority in Bulgaria, escaped unharmed after his would-be assassin was wrestled to the ground by security guards, during the party congress in the capital Sofia.
Video footage showed that Dogan, 58, was able to push the man's hand away before security officials pulled the assailant to the ground, punching and kicking him before he was arrested. He was later taken to hospital.Video footage showed that Dogan, 58, was able to push the man's hand away before security officials pulled the assailant to the ground, punching and kicking him before he was arrested. He was later taken to hospital.
Police identified the alleged attacker as Oktai Enimehmedov, 25, from the eastern coastal city of Burgas. They said that he was carrying the gun and two knives.Police identified the alleged attacker as Oktai Enimehmedov, 25, from the eastern coastal city of Burgas. They said that he was carrying the gun and two knives.
Tsvetan Tsvetanov, the interior minister, is reported to have said that the attacker tried to fire two shots but "most likely the gun misfired". However, other reports suggest that the weapon was a gas pistol, a non-lethal weapon used for self-defence, which can cause serious injuries when fired from close range.Tsvetan Tsvetanov, the interior minister, is reported to have said that the attacker tried to fire two shots but "most likely the gun misfired". However, other reports suggest that the weapon was a gas pistol, a non-lethal weapon used for self-defence, which can cause serious injuries when fired from close range.
The liberal MRF party represents ethnic Turks and other Muslims, who make up about 12% of Bulgaria's population of about seven million. Dogan, who is seen as one of the country's most influential political figures, was acquitted two years ago after a high-profile corruption trial into payments it was alleged that he received as a consultant for a hydroelectric power project. The MRF was a junior partner in the previous Socialist-led cabinet before switching to the opposition following the 2009 elections.The liberal MRF party represents ethnic Turks and other Muslims, who make up about 12% of Bulgaria's population of about seven million. Dogan, who is seen as one of the country's most influential political figures, was acquitted two years ago after a high-profile corruption trial into payments it was alleged that he received as a consultant for a hydroelectric power project. The MRF was a junior partner in the previous Socialist-led cabinet before switching to the opposition following the 2009 elections.
Dogan, who has led the party for almost 25 years, returned to the conference a few hours after the attack and was given a standing ovation.Dogan, who has led the party for almost 25 years, returned to the conference a few hours after the attack and was given a standing ovation.
President Rosen Plevneliev said in a statement: "Bulgarian society is traditionally known for its tolerance, mutual acceptance and respect between different ethnic groups and religions. Such an act is unacceptable in a democratic state." The incident was the most serious attack on a politician in Bulgaria since Andrei Lukanov, a former prime minsiter, was found shot dead near his home in Sofia in 1996.President Rosen Plevneliev said in a statement: "Bulgarian society is traditionally known for its tolerance, mutual acceptance and respect between different ethnic groups and religions. Such an act is unacceptable in a democratic state." The incident was the most serious attack on a politician in Bulgaria since Andrei Lukanov, a former prime minsiter, was found shot dead near his home in Sofia in 1996.
Having joined the European Union in 2007, Bulgarian citizens can move to the UK for work after temporary limits expire at the end of this year. Any Bulgarian who has been working legally as an employee in the UK for 12 months without a break will have full rights of free movement.Having joined the European Union in 2007, Bulgarian citizens can move to the UK for work after temporary limits expire at the end of this year. Any Bulgarian who has been working legally as an employee in the UK for 12 months without a break will have full rights of free movement.
• This article was amended on 20 January 2013. The original version wrongly stated that Bulgaria had joined the EU in 1997 instead of 2007.• This article was amended on 20 January 2013. The original version wrongly stated that Bulgaria had joined the EU in 1997 instead of 2007.
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