Larissa: Farmer hospitalized after clashes with riot police

An elderly unionized farmer who was injured by Greek police forces was taken to Larissa Hospital Following incidents that broke out at the Nikaia junction on Sunday afternoon when farmers attempted to break through the blockade and head towards the Athens-Larissa National Highway.

At the same time, shortly after 2:30 p.m., the tractors drove onto the National Highway.

Injuries and chemicals against farmers on the first day of protests

As Socrates Aleiftiras, vice president of the Larissa Federation of Agricultural Associations and press representative, told NEWS 24/7, it all started when farmers attempted to break through the police blockade to get onto the national highway from the Nikaia junction.

There, the farmers began negotiations with the police to let them onto the PATHE highway. However, clashes then broke out, with the Hellenic Police using excessive force against the farmers, as reported by the farmers themselves and shown in videos from local media.

Shortly afterwards, while police forces attempted to arrest an elderly farmer, a trade unionist affiliated with the New Democracy party, they injured him and knocked him down, as shown in the video on news247.gr.

According to reports, the injured man had health problems. An ambulance arrived at the scene and transported the farmer to the University General Hospital of Larissa.

“We have repeatedly stated that we will not back down and we are determined to get on the national team. Now that we have achieved this, we are stepping up our efforts”, Mr. Aleiftiras emphasized.

 

There had been previous incidents at the Platykampos junction, where there are reports of a farmer being injured.

Three arrests by the police

Three arrests were made by the police on Sunday (November 30) in Larissa during the first day of agricultural protests.

Two arrests were made in Platykampos, Larissa, one for violence against officials and judicial personnel, damage to property, and resistance, and the second for damage to property.

The third arrest took place at the Nikaia junction and concerns bodily harm, violence against officials and judicial personnel, and resistance.

Farmers reached the National Highway

Shortly after 2:30 p.m., farmers managed to break through the roadblocks via side roads and reach the National Highway. More than 300 tractors are lined up along the highway, and they have brought tents to camp out. In fact, the farmers are holding a meeting to decide their next steps. The farmers are supported by livestock farmers, beekeepers, and fishermen.

“The first goal of our mobilization was achieved with very large participation. We reached the PATHE highway at the Nikaia junction. This is the largest blockade we have ever set up in Larissa. This shows the magnitude of the problems facing the sector and our indignation”, said Rizos Maroudas, president of the United Federation of Agricultural Associations of Larissa.

In turn, the secretary of the Federation, Kostas Hatzis, denounced the government’s authoritarianism with the use of chemicals, flash grenades, and the injury of colleagues. He described the behavior of the Hellenic Police as unacceptable “towards farmers who have the inalienable right to protest for their survival. We set ourselves the goal of reaching the PATHE highway and we achieved it. We call on all farmers to come and strengthen the blockade”, he added.

National highway closed – Traffic arrangements

By decision of the Larissa Police Directorate, due to agricultural protests, from 12:00 noon today (November 30, 2025) until further notice, all vehicles will be prohibited from traveling on the Larissa-Athens National Highway from the Biokarpet junction (5 km of the Larissa-Athens National Highway) to the Nikaia junction, including its entrance and exit ramps.