PEN’s Free Expression Digest brings you a daily curated round-up of the most important free expression-related stories from around the web. Subscribe here. *This mailing list is currently in BETA as we work out the kinks. Please send your feedback and suggestions to [email protected]

The writings of imprisoned Saudi blogger Raif Badawi *PEN Case List
Badawi is sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes for simply expressing his opinion. Some of his writings will soon be available to English-speaking readers in the form of a volume titled 1000 Lashes: Because I Say What I Think. HUFFINGTON POST
 
U.S. Senators deplore Azerbaijan’s “politically motivated arrests,” call for Khadija Ismayilova’s release *PEN Case List
A group of 16 U.S. Senators addressed Azeri President Ilham Aliyev yesterday, calling on him in a letter to “provid[e] a more tolerant environment” for media and to release Khadija Ismayilova, the country’s most prominent investigative reporter, who was imprisoned on fabricated charges last December. RFE/RL
 
Editorial: Egypt – press freedom behind bars
Over the past week four journalists were arrested in Egypt, adding to the 18 who are already imprisoned according to a survey conducted by the Committee to Protect Journalists. MIDDLE EAST EYE
 
Iranian journalist Sajedeh Arabsorkhi released after serving sentence
Arabsorkhi has been released from Tehran’s Evin Prison after serving her one-year sentence for “propaganda against the regime”. PAYVAND
 
Iranian diplomacy logs on to banned social media
They are among the world’s most popular websites and are vital diplomatic channels for Iranian officials involved in the nuclear talks. Yet Twitter, Facebook and YouTube remain banned in Iran. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
 
Cybersecurity, encryption and the golden age of surveillance
The Internet has changed human society, profoundly altering the way we conduct our lives – but it also opens us to intense monitoring, exposing our most personal, private communications to the prying eyes of government spies. One way we can protect ourselves is with encryption – but the FBI wants to change that. DEMOCRACY NOW!
 
Turkey: Intimidation of media still continuing after June 7 elections
The Press for Freedom (ÖiB) platform stated that the widespread expectations of greater freedoms after Turkey’s June 7 parliamentary election remain unfulfilled and that members of the press are still subject to pressure and intimidation. TODAY’S ZAMAN
 
China frees journalist who reported on Hong Kong protests for German magazine
Chinese journalist Zhang Miao has been released after being detained for nine months for helping a German magazine report on last year’s democracy protests in Hong Kong. SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
 
Russia: Two years without justice for murdered journalist Akhmednabiyev
Akhmednabiyev, deputy editor of independent newspaper Novoye Delo, was shot dead on July 9, 2013 as he left for work. He had actively reported on human rights violations against Muslims by the police and Russian army. Two years after his killing, neither the perpetrators nor instigators have been brought to justice. INDEX ON CENSORSHIP