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]

Qatari poet Ibn Al Dheeb pardoned *PEN Case List
The Qatari poet who had been sentenced to life in prison for insulting the Emir and encouraging the overthrow of the nation’s ruling system has been released. GULF NEWS

President Erdogan wants to change definition of ‘terrorist’ to include journalists and politicians
Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan has claimed the definition of a terrorist should be changed to include their “supporters” – such as MPs, civil activists and journalists. THE INDEPENDENT

Independent Malaysian news site closes amid government clampdown on media
A leading Malaysian news website that had been blocked by the government following critical coverage of prime minister Najib Razak has shut down. THE GUARDIAN

North Korea sentences Otto Warmbier, U.S. Student, to 15 years’ labor
An American student who tearfully apologized for trying to steal a political propaganda poster in his hotel in Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for subversion on Wednesday, news agencies reported. THE NEW YORK TIMES

Academics in Turkey jailed for signing petition
In the latest attack on free speech in Turkey, three academics who signed a peace petition in January 2016 have been jailed by an Istanbul court on suspicion of “making terrorist propaganda.” HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

Rare act of dissent at China’s annual parliament
Every year, the annual parliament meetings provide an occasional glimpse of something meaningful for those watching closely, one of them being delegate Jiang Hong’s outspoken criticism of China’s crackdown on free speech. BBC NEWS