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. Please send your feedback and suggestions to [email protected]

Government critic shot dead in Cambodia
Kem Ley, a prominent Cambodian political analyst known for his criticism of the government, has been shot dead in Phnom Penh. Cambodia has a history of rights and labour advocates being murdered with killers rarely brought to justice. AL JAZEERA

Husband of Chinese detainee Zhao Wei questions whether she has been set free
Despite a police announcement that Zhao Wei, a 24-year-old journalism graduate, was released, her husband has been unable to contact her. She was held for a year in secret detention as part of an unprecedented crackdown on human rights lawyers. GUARDIAN

Thai activists charged under draconian charter law
A reporter and four activists were arrested on Sunday morning for criticizing the junta’s new constitution. Since the military’s takeover, Thailand has undergone a major rights crackdown, with scores of activists jailed, and skyrocketing lese majeste convictions. DAILY MAIL

Ethiopia blocks Facebook and other social media sites for exams
Ethiopia has blocked social media sites to prevent students from “being distracted” from studying during the exam period. This is the first time social media sites have been publicly blocked nationwide. BBC

Kyrgyzstan begins reviewing case of jailed journalist
Kyrgyzstan’s Supreme Court opened the hearings on Monday for Azimzhan Askarov, an ethnic Uzbek journalist and activist. Askarov’s lawyer claims that the proceedings against Askarov were based on false testimony and ethnic prejudice. ABC NEWS

In India, a spirited defense of writers
The Madras High Court revoked the ban on Perumal Murugan’s book, “One Part Woman,” originally banned last year. This decision sends a strong message at a time when freedom of expression is under threat attempts to muzzle dissent. NEW YORK TIMES