Aksionov was accused of killing a ryazan merchant with a knife. The troops confiscated all of his belongings and money. Aksionov's wife filed a plea to the Czar, but when it was denied, he stopped writing petitions, gave up hope, and just prayed to God. He has been incarcerated for 26 years. One day, a new batch of criminals was transported to jail, and Aksionov was convinced that one of them had murdered the merchant.