Thessaloniki: Police use chemicals on farmers at Prasina Fanaria

Tensions escalated at the Prasina Fanaria area in Thessaloniki when farmers tried to walk past the blockade set up by the police. Some farmers attempted to bypass the police barricade through side roads, specifically by crossing the farm of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), to reach the airport junction. At that point, the MAT forces used tear gas to push them back. After a brief de-escalation, the confrontations continued, and the police deployed extensive use of chemicals.

Reports suggest that an elderly farmer may have fainted due to the chemicals and collapsed onto the road. Tensions remain high with tractors present at the scene.

Rain doesn’t discourage the farmers

Meanwhile, farmers’ protests continue on their fifth day in several parts of the country, despite the arrival of the storm “Byron.”

Farmers with their tractors and agricultural machinery are lined up at customs posts across the country. The Malgara toll booths (heading to Athens), the National Road near Nikaia, parts of the E65 highway near Trikala and Karditsa, the Egnatia Highway, and the Seleo junction towards Veria remain closed. Tomorrow, farmers from the municipality of Lagkadas will set up an agricultural-livestock blockade at the Derveni junction, where the old Thessaloniki-Kavala road meets other major roads, including one heading towards Nea Santa Kilkis.

This decision was made in a meeting last night, during which the participation of local farmers in the nationwide protests was discussed. Early on Saturday morning (6/12), farmers and livestock breeders from villages like Socho, Assiros, Kalindria, Koroneia, Vertisko, Lagkadas, and Lachana will gather in the central squares of their villages with tractors and agricultural equipment. From there, they will move towards the Derveni junction, expecting to arrive by 3:00 PM at the latest.

Farmers and livestock breeders from Kozani, Grevena, and Kastoria are also setting up a joint agricultural blockade tomorrow at the Siatista junction, on the Egnatia Highway, according to a general assembly decision.

Major meetings expected later this week

Later in the week, possibly towards the end, farmers are expected to organize a large national meeting in Nikaia with representatives from the protest blockades to discuss the continuation of the protests.

Additionally, a regional meeting will be held beforehand with farmers from the Thessaly region.