THESSALONIKI, Greece — Defying a government warning, farmers in northern Greece blocked traffic at border crossings Wednesday in an escalating protest over delayed European Union -backed subsidy payments. The delays follow revelations of widespread fraudulent claims for EU funds.

Convoys of tractors blocked routes to North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey forcing drivers into lengthy detours.

Farmers also took to the streets over the weekend, blocking roads in several areas.

Protests by farmers are common in Greece, but the latest unrest erupted over delays in subsidy payments in the wake revelations of fraudulent claims for EU funds.

The scandal prompted the resignation in June of five senior government officials and the phased shutdown of a state agency that handled agricultural subsid

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