Turkish Cypriots stage third anti-austerity rally

Around 5,000 union members converged on Thursday in front of parliament, which was ringed by riot police. Some minor scuffles broke out when protesters confronted plainclothes policemen in the crowd.

Turkish Cypriots protesters hold a Cyprus flag and bunners during a protest against economic austerity measures they say Turkey is saddling them with, in the Turkish occupied area at northern of capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Thursday. Photo: AP.

Turkish Cypriots have staged another protest in divided Cyprus’ breakaway north against austerity measures they say Turkey is saddling them with.

Turkey props up the tiny enclave’s economy with hundreds of millions of euros each year. But protest organizers resent private and state sector salary cuts they say the Turkish Cypriot government is carrying out on Turkey’s directions.

Around 5,000 union members converged on Thursday in front of parliament, which was ringed by riot police. Some minor scuffles broke out when protesters confronted plainclothes policemen in the crowd.

Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by supporters of union with Greece.

The north is only recognized by Turkey, which maintains some 35,000 troops there.