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Ahmed DoganBulgarian politician
Date of Birth: 29.03.1954
Country:  Bulgaria |
Content:
- Ahmed Dogan: Bulgarian Politician and Leader of the Turkish Minority
- Political Activism and Imprisonment
- Foundation of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms
- Political Career
- Assassination Attempt and Resignation
Ahmed Dogan: Bulgarian Politician and Leader of the Turkish Minority
Early Life and EducationAhmed Dogan was born in Bulgaria and received a degree in philosophy from Sofia University in 1981. He went on to pursue postgraduate studies at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Social Sciences and Social Management, graduating in 1985.
Political Activism and Imprisonment
Dogan became actively involved in the resistance against the "Revival Process," a forced assimilation campaign targeting the Turkish minority in Bulgaria. In 1985, he co-founded the Turkish National Liberation Movement. For his involvement, he was arrested and imprisoned for six months. In 1987, he was transferred to a death row cell in Pazardzhik. In 1989, Dogan was sentenced to 10 years in prison for forming an anti-government organization, but was amnestied after the repeal of Article 233 of the Penal Code.
Foundation of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms
After his release, Dogan established the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) on January 4, 1990, a political party representing the interests of the Turkish minority in Bulgaria. As the party's uncontested leader, he played a significant role in establishing ethnic peace in the country following the tensions caused by the "Revival Process."
Political Career
Dogan was elected to every National Assembly of Bulgaria since 1990, serving as a member of seven Grand National Assemblies and numerous Ordinary National Assemblies. Under his leadership, the MRF became a stable force in Bulgarian politics, forming key governments with other parties, including the expert government of Lyuben Berov (1992-1994) and the coalition government of Sergei Stanishev (2005-2009).
Assassination Attempt and Resignation
On January 19, 2013, Dogan survived an assassination attempt during a speech at the MRF's 8th national conference. The shooter, Oktay Enimehmedov, attempted to fire a gas pistol but it misfired. Dogan resigned from his position as party chairman and was elected as honorary chairman. Enimehmedov was subsequently sentenced to 3.5 years in prison.
