Gunman points pistol at Bulgarian politician's head

An assassination attempt was carried out when a man pointed a gas pistol at Bulgarian opposition politician Ahmet Dogan, who was at a lectern giving a speech at a party conference in Sofia, on Saturday. Video clips of the man climbing the podium and pointing the gun to Dogan's face have gone viral online. 

Interestingly, Dogan, leader of the ethnic Turk Movement for Rights and Freedoms, managed to knock the gun away, duck and escape. Security guards immediately rushed to the stage and subdued the assailant. Members of the audience then beat and kicked him. According to reports, the attacker has been identified as 25-year-old Oktay Yenimehmedov. He was carrying the gas pistol and two knives.

Dogan, who is leaving his party post after more than 20 years did not continue his speech. His party's members are ethnic Turks, who make up nearly 9% of Bulgaria's population.