Demircik village residents prepare for legal action and protest over road project

Residents of Demircik village, located in the Mustafçova (Myki) municipality of Western Thrace, are preparing to take legal action and stage a protest over an ongoing road project connecting the village area to the Greek–Bulgarian border.

In a written statement, Tahir Omer, a member of the Mustafçova Municipal Council and a resident of Demircik, called on villagers to unite, stating that although the road has been physically completed, serious problems affecting daily life in the village remain unresolved.

Court Case Scheduled for February

According to the statement, a group of 23 villagers has filed a request for interim measures at the Xanthi Court of First Instance, arguing that the project has caused significant damage to agricultural land, infrastructure, and village safety.

The court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Protest Planned Ahead of Official Opening

Despite the ongoing legal process, authorities have announced plans to officially open the road on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. In response, villagers are organizing a peaceful protest at the construction site on the same day to voice their opposition.

A call shared on social media stresses that the issue does not concern only the 23 plaintiffs, but the entire village. All residents—men, women, and children—are encouraged to participate in the demonstration.

Key Demands of the Villagers

The villagers’ main demands include:

• Safe crossings for livestock to grazing areas
• Access roads and passages to farmland located across the road
• Retaining walls to protect homes facing the roadway
• Repair and protection of the village water supply network
• Restoration of damaged agricultural land

Former Mustafçova Mayor Cemil Kabza also shared Tahir Omer’s statement on social media, urging public officials and residents to show sensitivity toward the issue.

Authorities Confirm Road Opening Ceremony

Meanwhile, Christodoulos Topsidis, Governor of the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Region, announced that the Demircik – Greece–Bulgaria Border Road will open to traffic on January 20, 2026, at 10:45 a.m.

The opening ceremony is expected to be attended by Greek Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas and Secretary General of Infrastructure Dimitrios Anagnopoulos.