Greek farmers block Athens motorway as fallout from illegal subsidies fraud continues

Greek farmers have blocked major national roads with tractors, effectively dividing the country's main north-south highway in protest against the increased cost of production, low prices and delays in payments from the government.

The blockade comes after several people were arrested last week in a spiralling farm fraud case that revealed millions of euros were paid in illegal subsidies by OPEKEPE, the organisation in charge of distributing EU farm funds, a scandal that has provoked farmers and brought extra scrutiny to subsidy payments in the country.

During the preliminary investigation, some 324 people were found to be recipients of subsidies worth €19.6 million, according to the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).

Farmers and agricultural associations are staging demonstrations on the critical Athens-Thessaloniki motoway, bringing in more farm machinery and tractors to reinforce their blockade.

Earlier on Monday, the Athens-Thessaloniki motorway remained closed around Nikaia in Larissa, the capital and largest city of the northwestern Thessaly region, where the tractors were lined up as traffic police continued to divert traffic through alternative routes in order to avoid major disruptions.

Ahead of a planned meeting between the unions on Monday, farmers have warned they will extend the closures unless their demands are met.

According to an announcement of the Federation of Agricultural Associations, "a blockade at the junction, Megalochori, will proceed, and the farmers of Trikala will protest next Wednesday." A blockade is also expected in eastern Thessaloniki.

Serious incidents on first day of action

The first day of the mobilisation began on Sunday and was accompanied by incidents in the villages of Nikaia and Platykampos in Larissa, when farmers attempted to approach the motorway and clashed with riot police.

Two farmers and two police officers were injured, according to a statement by the ELAS resistance movement.

According to police, two arrests were made in Platykambos, one for violence against officials, damage and resistance and the second for damage. A third arrest was made at the Nice junction for bodily harm and resistance.

At the Larissa courthouse, farmers from the Nikaia blockade renewed their "appointment" after Sunday's mobilisation outside the building of the Larissa Police Directorate, asking for the release of those arrested.

With no assurances or statement from the government yet, the protests are expected to spread across Greece until 5 December, with more road blockades, a tactic frequently used by farmers to put pressure on authorities.