Farmers set up road blocks, clash with police in Komotini

Road blocks have been set up on the country’s national highways, as farmers across Greece escalate their protest actions against the government’s plans on taxation and the pension system.

The road block at Tempi is central to the efforts of the farmers, who at present are making efforts to avoid affecting traffic. All over Greece farmers and their tractors are congregating at various choke points.

Meanwhile clashes between farmers and riot police took place in Komotini. The clashes began after the visiting Minister of Agricultural Development Evangelos Apostolou refused to meet with the protesters and the police argued that only a delegation would be allowed to meet with him.

Minor scuffles broke out as the farmers attempted to break police lines to meet with the Minister, with riot police using tear gas to disperse the crowd. Eventually a delegation of farmers met with the Minister.