Angry bank clients push way into Greek Cyprus parliament

NICOSIA, Greek Cyprus – The Associated Press

Investors, left, shout in front of police officers outside the Greek Cyprus' parliament during a protest in Nicosia, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. AP Photo

Greek Cypriot police say a group of investors and savers protesting outside parliament shoved their way past security and entered the building.
 
The protesters claim the Greek Cypriot banks sold them investment products under false pretenses to raise desperately-needed cash. Greek Cypriot banks lost billions on their holdings of Greek debt during the financial crisis. They’re being bailed out as part of a larger rescue for the country.
 
Police spokesman Andreas Angelides says the shouting protesters briefly interrupted a meeting Tuesday of a parliamentary committee looking into banking issues.
 
Angelides says the protesters left the building shortly afterward and no arrests were made.
 
Greek Cyprus has reached a preliminary deal with the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund on a bailout for its banks.