Narodnaya Volya
Suspicions that some immigrant members of Narodnaya Volya felt about Degayev were confirmed after Degayev talked with another prominent Narodnaya Volya member German Lopatin, an experienced escapee from prisons himself. Lopatin found many inconsistencies in Degayev's story about his escape from Odessa prison. Being interrogated by Lev Tikhomirov, Degayev confessed that he was an Okhrana agent and offered his help in killing Sudeykin. On 17 October – 19 October 1883 the Executive Committee of Narodnaya Volya (that at that time consisted of eight Russians and three Poles) decided to spare Degayev's life if he would kill Sudeykin. They appointed two young Narodnaya Volya members, V.P. Konashevich and N.P. Starodvorsky to assist Degayev and to ensure that Degayev would not renege on his promise.