Dozens of livestock farmers who have been gathered at the Rizoelia roundabout in Aradippou since 11am escalated their protest sharply on Thursday afternoon after Justice Minister Costas Fytiris arrived at the scene requesting they clear the road on safety grounds. Rather than complying, farmers closed the upper section of the roundabout entirely and blocked the road running beneath it toward Ayia Napa, parking their vehicles across the carriageway and setting out chairs. Police issued a public notice advising drivers to use alternative routes to Larnaca. Some protesters responded to Fytiris's arrival by getting into their vehicles and sounding their horns continuously.
Fytiris told the farmers the government and relevant authorities would examine their concerns, but his appearance inflamed rather than calmed the situation. Protesters warned they would announce further and more forceful measures, and threatened to travel to the Ayia Napa Marina venue where EU leaders are gathering for the informal summit. Farmers brought coffins, funeral wreaths and an icon of Saint George to the roundabout, alongside banners reading "Betrayal, the farming community of Cyprus faces death." They have also been distributing leaflets to passing drivers explaining the impact of the foot-and-mouth outbreak on their sector.
Protest representative Stella Petrou had set a 2pm deadline for President Christodoulides to intervene directly and halt the mass cullings, warning that the protest would not end unless the cullings were suspended. She said the date was chosen deliberately to send a message to EU leaders attending the summit. Farmers have brought chairs, tables and food to the roundabout, and some have brought their children, suggesting they are prepared for a prolonged presence. It remains unclear how long the blockade will continue.
Earlier in the day, farmers had agreed with police to close two of the four highway lanes, allowing traffic to continue through the remaining lanes. That arrangement collapsed following Fytiris's visit. A large police presence remains at the scene managing traffic and monitoring the situation.