Turkish Penal Code No. 5237. Country/Territory Türkiye Document type Legislation Date 2004 (2014) Source FAO, FAOLEX Original source Official Gazette No. 25611, 12 October 2004. Subject Livestock, Environment gen., Food & nutrition, Forestry, Land & soil, Cultivated plants, Sea, Water, General Keyword Framework law Offences/penalties Hazards Effluent waste water/discharge Education Flood Freshwater pollution Hazardous substances Human rights Institution Noise pollution Pollution control Protection of environment Public health Soil pollution/quality Waste disposal Beverages Consumer protection Food quality control/food safety Potable water Food security Forest management/forest conservation Protection of species Ownership Animal health Animal welfare Pests/diseases Plant protection EEZ-Exclusive Economic Zone High seas Territorial sea Maritime zone Irrigation Geographical area Asia, Black Sea, Europe, Europe and Central Asia, Mediterranean, Middle East, Western Asia Abstract The objective of this Code is to protect individual rights and freedoms, public order and security, the rule of law, peace in the community, public health and the environment and to prevent the commission of offences. To this end, this Code lays down the criminal responsibility, specific criminal offences, penalties and security measures to achieve this objective. Article 8 states that any criminal offence which is committed within Turkish territory, airspace or in Turkish territorial waters; on the open sea or in the space extending directly above these waters and by using or in any Turkish sea and air vessels; by using or in any Turkish military sea or air vehicles; and on the continental shelf or in the economic zone of Turkey, shall be presumed to have been committed in Turkey. The penalties to be imposed for criminal offences in accordance with this Code are imprisonment and judicial fines. This Code lays down penalties for the offences set out in this Code, including the prevention of all forms of educational and training activities; violation of the freedom to work or labour; damage to and theft of property and animals; possession or exchange of hazardous substances without permission; pollution of the environment intentionally or due to recklessness; causing noise pollution; introducing toxic substances to drinking water, food or any other consumable items; and acting contrary to measures to contain contagious disease. Moreover, this Code accepts the damage to property offence as qualified in case it is committed in relation to moveable property or premises designated to prevent fire, flood, accidents or other disasters; in relation to planted trees, shrubs or vineyards wherever they may be situated, excluding places which have the status of “state forest”; and in relation to premises used for irrigation, the provision of drinking water or to protect from disasters. In addition to that, causing harm to plants, animals and humans through discharge of waste, causing illness in humans and animals, causing an absence of food or goods, or a shortage of such by a significant amount, which are required for use by public institutions or corporations, public services or for disaster relief activities, and selling, supplying or possessing consumable items, beverages or medicines which have decayed or have been altered such as to cause a risk to the life or health of another shall be sentenced to a penalty of imprisonment. Full text Turkish Website www.resmigazete.gov.tr