New Jersey might become first American State imposing sanctions on Azerbaijan

As the U.S. federal and legislative branches struggle to speak with one voice and to move from reaction to action against Azerbaijan's worsening human rights clampdown, a key legislator in the New Jersey Senate recently decided to take the initiative by putting his support behind an ex-state resident and renowned scholar, Gubad Ibadoghlu, and by introducing a bill prohibiting government dealings with certain businesses associated with Azerbaijan.

The bill S4107, issued by Democrat Senator Andrew Zwicker, has already been placed on the calendar of NJ Senate ommittee called "State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation," TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

"Mr Ibadoghlu is an esteemed economist who has promoted good governance and public financial transparency. He has shared his expertise all over the world and has been affiliated with various institutions of higher education in Europe and the United States, including Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey and Princeton University. In addition to his scholarly work, Dr. Ibadoghlu is a prominent political activist who has been critical of the Azerbaijani government. "