[1][failed verification] In the spring of 1866, Karakozov arrived in St Petersburg to assassinate Alexander II.

[4] I have long been tormented by the thought and given no rest by my doubts why my beloved simple Russian people has to suffer so much!

16 April], Dmitry Karakozov made an unsuccessful attempt on the life of Tsar Alexander II at the gates of the Summer Garden in St Petersburg.

The attempt was thwarted by Ossip Komissarov, a peasant-born hatter's apprentice, who jostled Karakozov's elbow just before the shot was fired.

Komissarov was ennobled and given a generous allowance, but proved to be an embarrassment to the government due to his boorishness and incoherence and had to be politely removed to the countryside.

Of the twenty-six others who were accused of being his accomplices, Ishutin was sentenced to death (this was later commuted as he was about to executed), seven received hard labor, eleven went to prison, and seven were acquitted.

[citation needed] Karakozov was an inspiration for the radical nihilists Sergei Nechaev and Vera Zasulich.