ANKARA - ``After we gather certain information, we will expose who buried toxic waste barrels under soil in Tuzla (town in Istanbul),`` said Turkish Environment & Forestry Minister Osman Pepe.
Speaking at Turkish Parliamentary General Assembly on Thursday, Pepe said, ``provincial units of Environment & Forestry Ministry filed complaints regarding the barrels which we are suspicious of carrying toxic and dangerous materials. Public Prosecutor`s Office has started an investigation.``
``It is still uncertain who buried the barrels and what their contents are. Istanbul Environment & Forestry Directorate experts took 10 samples from materials, and I cannot make a certain statement before we take test results from TUBITAK (Science & Technological Research Council of Turkey) and university laboratories,`` added Pepe.
He noted, ``we have some information marking several institutions and enterprises, but they are not certain. The issue is currently on judiciary. Person who is responsible for this can be punished with at least 5 years of imprisonment in line with the Article No. 181 of Turkish Penal Code.``
Toxic waste barrels were found buried under soil in a field in Orhaniye hamlet of Tuzla town in Istanbul a few days ago.