The district attorney of Thessaloniki Dimitris Papagiorgiou issued an injunction for a court prosecution against the farmers, who have blocked roads with their tractors and this way they are interfering with the transportation of goods and the free movement for citizens. According to the district attorney this is an offence, which is punished through the court. The attorney’s ordinance says that paralyzing transportation takes away the lawful right of citizens to move and it violates a very important part of public life. “The disclosure of the identity of the offenders and sending them to court is the most important job of the police at this moment,” says attorney Papagiorgiou.

As a result of the attorney’s interference, most of the blockades in Northern Greece were lifted. The tractors freed the Tembi passage, which connects Northern and Central Greece. Some of the tractors went back to the fields and others were left parked on the side of the road. Today the tractors, which are blocking the second largest highway in Greece – Egnatia will move out. The tractors from the Korinthos channel moved out yesterday because the Peloponnesian farmers were satisfied with the 40 million Euros deal, which the minister of agricultural development Sotiris Hadzigakis promised.

What is happening at the borders? The border stations with Bulgaria – Kapitan Petko Voyvoda-Ormenion and with Macedonia – Doyran are still closed. The rest of the border stations with Bulgaria – Ilinden-Exohi, with Macedonia – Evzoni, and with Turkey – Kipi-Ipsala open occasionally, in order for the waiting cars and trucks to pass. The striking farmers at Promahon put hoods on their heads, in order not to reveal their identities.

Meanwhile the financial support of 620 million Euros is carefully observed by the European Commission and is awaiting the approval by the agriculture and rural development commissioner – Mariann Fischer Boel. Next Thursday, Minister Hadzigakis will have talks with the Dutch commissioner regarding the financial help for the producers. Her spokesman announced that they have verbally discussed the topic with the Greek government but a written request for the budget help for the farmers has not been received by the Commission from Athens.