The blood-stained uniform of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Muhamed Mehmedbasic was born in Bosnia-Herzegovina. A cabinet-maker, Mehmedbasic joined the Black Hand secret society as Bosnian muslim, to give the group a less pan-Serb appearance. In 1914 he was chosen to assassinate General Oskar Potiorek, Governor of the Austrian provinces of Bosnia-Herzegovina, with a poisoned dagger. After one failed attempt, Mehmedbasic was recruited by Danilo Ilic to join the plot to assassinate Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
On Sunday, 28th June, 1914, Franz Ferdinand and Sophie von Chotkovato arrived in Sarajevo by train. General Oskar Potiorek, Governor of the Austrian provinces of Bosnia-Herzegovina, was waiting to take the royal party to the City Hall for the official reception.
Seven members of the Black Hand group lined the route. They were spaced out along the Appel Quay, each one had been instructed to try and kill Franz Ferdinand when the royal car reached his position. The first conspirator on the route to see the royal car was Muhamed Mehmedbasic. Standing by the Austro-Hungarian Bank, Mehmedbasic lost his nerve and allowed the car pass without taking action. Mehmedbasic later said that a policeman was standing behind him and feared he would be arrested before he had a chance to throw his bomb.
Mehmedbasic managed to escape to Serbia other members were arrested and charged with treason and murder. After the First World War Mehmedbasic returned to Sarajevo and in 1919 was pardoned for his role in the assassination. Muhamed Mehmedbasic died in Sarajevo during the Second World War.
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