1. Early Life and Background
1.1. Birth and Family
Dogan was born on March 29, 1954, in Pchelarovo, Dobrich Province, Bulgaria. His mother was Demire Dogan from Drandar, Bulgaria, while his father's identity from Pchelarovo remains unknown.
1.2. Education
Dogan pursued higher education in philosophy, completing his studies at Sofia University in 1981. He furthered his academic career by earning a doctoral degree in 1986, with a dissertation titled "Philosophical analysis of the principle of symmetry." He also obtained a philosophy PhD in 1984 from the Bulgarian Science University.
2. Political Career
Dogan's political career is marked by his foundational role in the Movement for Rights and Freedoms and his dedicated efforts to support the Turkish minority in Bulgaria.
2.1. Founding and Leadership of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS)
In 1990, Ahmed Dogan founded the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) party, a significant political entity in Bulgaria. He served as the party's leader until he stepped down in 2013. During his tenure, Dogan became a prominent political figure and was also identified as an oligarch, wielding considerable influence in the country's political and economic landscape.
2.2. Support for the Turkish Minority
Dogan dedicated himself to the human rights movement for the Turkish minority in Bulgaria. His activism in this area led to his arrest in 1987 on charges of terrorism, for which he was sentenced to a 10-year prison term. However, he was released on December 22, 1989, coinciding with the broader political changes in Bulgaria at the end of the communist era. The DPS party, under his leadership, consistently claimed to represent the interests of the Turkish minority in Bulgaria.
3. Ideology and Activities
The Movement for Rights and Freedoms, founded by Dogan, is a liberal party. Its core ideology centers on advocating for the rights and interests of ethnic minorities, particularly the Turkish community in Bulgaria. Dogan's activities primarily focused on political representation and ensuring the protection of minority rights within the Bulgarian democratic framework.
4. Controversies and Legal Issues
Throughout his public life, Ahmed Dogan has been at the center of several controversies and legal challenges, including allegations of past collaboration with the communist-era secret police and accusations of corruption.
4.1. Allegations of State Security Collaboration
In September 2007, Dogan's name appeared on an official report that identified collaborators with the communist-era secret police. According to this report, Dogan was a paid agent of the Committee for State Security (Bulgaria) from August 1974 until March 1988. These allegations raised questions about his past and his role during the communist regime.
4.2. Past Legal Proceedings
Prior to his political leadership, Dogan faced legal proceedings related to his activism. In 1987, he was arrested and subsequently sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on terrorism charges. He was, however, released on December 22, 1989, amidst the political changes that led to the collapse of the communist government.
4.3. Corruption Allegations and Acquittal
In October 2010, Dogan was accused of corruption in a case brought by the Parliamentary Commission. The allegations stemmed from consulting fees paid to him in 2008 and 2009 concerning hydro-power projects. However, the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) in Sofia ultimately acquitted him of these corruption charges.
5. Assassination Attempt
On January 19, 2013, Ahmed Dogan was the target of an assassination attempt during a party debate held in Sofia. As he was addressing a large audience from a podium, a man named Oktay Enimehmedov rushed onto the stage.
Enimehmedov, a Bulgarian national of Turkish descent, pointed a gas pistol directly at Dogan's head, from a distance of approximately 1 ft. The firearm, however, did not discharge. Reports indicated that the gun contained blank cartridges, with one cartridge reportedly containing pepper spray, suggesting that even if fired, it would have caused non-lethal injuries. Dogan quickly reacted, grappling with Enimehmedov to disarm him. Immediately, security guards and delegates intervened, tackling Enimehmedov to the ground. He was reportedly beaten and kicked for several minutes before being arrested. It was later revealed that Enimehmedov had a prior criminal record, including charges for robbery, violence, and illegal drug possession. In February 2014, Enimehmedov was sentenced to three-and-a-half years' imprisonment for the incident.
6. Assessment and Legacy
Ahmed Dogan's career has left a complex legacy in Bulgarian politics. As the founder and long-time leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, he played a crucial role in representing the interests of the Turkish minority, a significant achievement in post-communist Bulgaria. However, his political influence and identification as an oligarch, coupled with persistent allegations of past collaboration with state security and corruption charges, have also drawn considerable criticism. His ability to navigate the political landscape for decades, despite these controversies, underscores his enduring impact on Bulgarian society.