Greek farmers invade stadium, verbally attack minister
Tensions rose shortly before the opening of the 10th International Thracian Convention in Feres, northeastern Greece, on Friday, when a group of farmers in tractors surrounded the town’s stadium, where the conference was taking place.
The farmers subsequently entered the stadium and demanded that Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Amanatidis, Deputy Minister for Agricultural Development Panayiotis Sgouridis, Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace Maria Kollia-Tsaroucha and other officials leave the premises.
Led by Costas Alexandris, head of the Alexandroupoli Farmers’ Union, the farmers verbally attacked Sgouridis, arguing that they had yet to receive compensation for damage caused by recent floods, among other issues.
The farmers eventually left the premises.
Speaking to members of the media following the incident, Sgouridis noted that compensation issues were being handled by the European Union and that the Greek government had applied for funding.
