[1][2] He taught at an elementary school in Bursa, preached at the Sehzade Mosque in Constantinople (now Istanbul), wrote for Filip (Philip) Efendi’s newspaper Muhbir, and worked in different positions at offices in Simav, Plovdiv, and Sofia.

[3] In 1867 he escaped prosecution by fleeing to Paris along with fellow Young Ottomans Namık Kemal and Ziya Pasha, where he stayed until Abdülaziz was dethroned in 1876.

[4] With his background in journalism, Suavi was placed in charge of the first Young Ottoman publication to appear in Europe, Muhbir.

Suavi drifted around to various cities in Europe and grew bitter against the Young Ottomans, continuing to publish in other venues, including a newspaper named "Ulûm Gazetesi" (Journal of Sciences) he wrote, edited, and published himself.

According to "İngiliz" ("English") Said Pasha,[6] moments before his death, Ali Suavi took Murad's arm and said to him, "O our Lord, come, deliver us from the Muscovites."