Russian sociologists, Maxim Shugalei and his companion and translator Samer Suifan, travel to a country torn apart by militant factions by official invitation. Their task is to conduct a sociological study among the civilian population. However, in the course of their work, information falls into their hands, which can cost the "puppet" government dearly and should not leak out of Libya. As a result of the abduction, the Russians find themselves in a private prison and for more than a year, experiencing torture and humiliation, they are waiting for at least charges. Diplomatic attempts to peacefully resolve the issue are reaching a dead end.