gustav iii perceived his most bitter opponents to have become leaders of the anjala conspiracy, and feared for his life should he remain in finland. commencing a new theatre of war against denmark in the south, the king had a good excuse to leave for less dangerous surroundings. soon, however, he found the public opinion on his side, and the leading conspirators were arrested during the winter. two of the conspirators ended up as refugees in russia, nine were sentenced to death, although only one, johan henrik hästesko, was executed, while the rest were either deported or put in prison.