Armenian authorities and ANC risk confrontation with the West, specifically, the U.S., according to Heritage parliamentary group leader.As Stepan Safaryan told a news conference in Yerevan, the U.S. State Department’s criticism of human rights situation in Armenia, as well as ANC leader’s statement at the recent rally prove the fact.

Commenting on U.S. State Department’s report, Safaryan specifically stressed violations during 2008 presidential elections, questioning the president’s legitimacy, as well as the existence of political prisoners in Armenia. As he noted, the international community is signalling the unacceptability of repeating the same scenario in 2012 and 2013 elections. As for Europe’s position on the issue, Safaryan said, it’s dissatisfied with the Armenian authorities but continues working with them.