Finally, in January 1822, he killed Ali Pasha through treason, and sent his severed head to the Sultan, and his star seemed on the rise again. He assembled an army of 80,000 men (a huge number by Balkan standards) and was about to march in order to finally crush the Greek uprising, when disaster struck. His political enemies in Constantinople, alarmed at the fame and power he had achieved and the prestige that the successful ending of both Ali Pasha's and the Greek revolts would bring him, accused him of misappropriating a large part of Ali's treasure.
In January 1822, he assassinated Ali Pasha through treachery, sending his severed head to the Sultan, and his reputation soared again. He assembled an army of 80,000 men (a significant number by Balkan standards) and was about to march to crush the Greek uprising when disaster struck. His political rivals in Constantinople, alarmed at his fame and power, and the prestige that would come from ending both Ali Pasha's and the Greek revolts, accused him of misappropriating a large portion of Ali's wealth.