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]

Palestinian journalist al-Qiq to remain in jail after Israeli Supreme Court ruling
The Supreme Court in Jerusalem ruled on Wednesday that it would not release Mohammed al-Qiq immediately but would follow his health on a daily basis. Al-Qiq has been on hunger strike for 64 days over his detention under Israel’s administrative detention law and his organs are at risk of failure any day. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Egyptian poet jailed for insulting Islam
Journalist Fatima Naoot was sentenced on Tuesday by an Egyptian court to 3 years in prison and a $2,550 fine on charges of insulting Islam in a Facebook Post. MOROCCO WORLD NEWS

Al Jazeera files claim for damages against Egypt
Al Jazeera Media Network has filed claims for damages against the Egyptian government, accusing it of harassing its journalists and damaging its office and equipment during repeated police raids in the country. 
AL JAZEERA

Belarus police beat civil society activists and journalist recording the incident 
On Monday, Belarusian police brutally beat two civil activists who were forcefully taken out of a court room, as well as a member of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, Pavel Dabravolski, who attempted to record the incident with a cell phone camera. BAJ MEDIA WATCH

Publishing platform blocked in Malaysia after government takedown requests
Medium has been blocked in Malaysia after the publishing platform refused a government request to take down a post alleging the country’s Prime Minister Najib Razak tried to exit the country in the midst of a corruption scandal. FORTUNE

Buddhist Monk disrupts court hearing on abduction of Sri Lankan journalist
On Monday, a leader of the Buddhist group Bodu Bala Sena entered the court hearing of those accused of abducting Sri Lankan journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda. Galabodaatthe Gnanasara berated officials and disrupted court proceedings. SRI LANKAN GUARDIAN 

Serbian journalists protest degrading comments by Minister of Defense
The Independent Journalists Association of Serbia are protesting after a Serbian Minister of Defense made an inappropriate comment saying “I love journalists who easily go onto their knees.” Protesters are also questioning a possible cover-up of government officials illegally tailing journalists. OBC