It happened in a flash . A man Saturday approached Bulgarian opposition politician Ahmet Dogan , who was at a lectern giving a speech at a party conference in Sofia , the capital city . Video shows the man pointing a gas pistol at the head of Dogan , who grappled with him , according to Bulgaria State News ( BTA ) . Dogan , leader of the ethnic Turk Movement for Rights and Freedoms ( MRF ) , managed to knock the gun away as people rushed the stage and subdued the assailant . The suspect was arrested and identified as Oktay Yenimehmedov , 25 , according to media reports . Dogan , who is leaving his party post after more than 20 years , was unscathed . He did not continue his speech . BTA did not indicate a possible motive . Turkey 's Anadolu News Agency said the majority of MRF 's members are ethnic Turks , who make up nearly 9 % of Bulgaria 's population . The convention elected Lutfi Mestan to succeed Dogan , Anadolu reported .
Opposition party leader Ahmet Dogan was speaking at a meeting in Sofia . Video shows a man walking up and pointing a pistol at Dogan 's head . A 25-year-old man is arrested ; no motive is known , according to state media .