The Instagram account of Taner Ay, a senior figure in the Osmanen Germania gang, showed his close relations to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). The gang was banned in 2018 after being involved in numerous crimes, including murder, assault, kidnapping, drug trafficking and prostitution. The gang is also known for threatening Turkish opposition in Germany.

While the gang's relations with AKP deputy Metin Külünk were known, Ay's Instagram account showed a wider network. Ay is seen with Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu in this picture taken in the presidential palace on Oct. 29, 2019. 

According to his Instagram account, Ay had access to various high-level meetings, including those in parliament. He also posted a picture of himself with a gun and tagged Special Operations Department. He deleted the picture after his controversial relations were revealed.

In another picture that he deleted, Ay was seen with guns in an office.