Bulgarian politician survives assasination attempt on Live TV

Bulgarian opposition leader Ahmed Dogan narrowly survived a shocking assassination attempt on Saturday as a man stormed the stage and pointed a pistol directly into his face as he was addressing a crowd.

In an amazing stroke of luck, the weapon misfired – giving Dogan enough time to swat the gun out of the way. Before the would-be assassin could fire again, security tackled the man, and onlookers moved to beat and kick him.

Television footage shows the man, dressed entirely in black, rushing out of the audience onto the stage before leveling a gun directly into Dogan's eyes and pulling the trigger. Security personnel rushed the attempted murderer before politicians and attendees from the audience also jumped the stage, raining blows onto him.

Photos of the bloodied, furious-looking man being dragged away by security officials soon hit the internet.

Authorities arrested a man suspected to be a co-conspirator who was found in possession of two knives in the audience.

Dogan is leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, a liberal party that represents Bulgaria's Turkish minority. It seems more than likely the assassination attempt was carried out by Bulgarian neo-Nazi groups, which have become notorious for attacks on foreigners and minority populations – focusing especially on Muslims.

"Ahmed Dogan is in good health. Everything is under control," party official Ceyhan Ibryamov told journalists.