Beijing, Jun 28 (IANS): Bo Xilai, a former Chinese leader serving a life sentence for corruption, has been released on medical parole due to liver cancer.

According to Radio Free Asia, Bo's cancer might be in initial stages and treatable, Efe news reported.

Bo, 67, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2013 for corruption, abuse of power and bribery in a scandal involving the killing of British businessman Neil Heywood in 2011.

Bo's wife Gu Kailai was sentenced to life imprisonment for that murder.

Bo was considered one of the emerging stars of the Communist Party of China because of his positions as Mayor of the northeastern city of Dalian, former Trade Minister and leader of the Chinese city of Chongqing.

He had joined the exclusive 25-member Politburo of the Communist Party and nearly became a rival contender for the Presidential post against incumbent President Xi Jinping.

Bo was diagnosed with cancer in the Qincheng Peking prison and sent to a hospital for treatment.