Beijing, Jun 26 (IANS): Chinese Nobel Peace laureate Liu Xiaobo was released on medical grounds after he was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, his lawyer confirmed on Monday.

Liu is currently receiving treatment at the university hospital in Shenyang in Liaoning province after being diagnosed on May 23, advocate Mo Shaoping told Efe news.

Liu, among the most well known Chinese dissidents, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 after being sentenced the previous year to 11 years' imprisonment for inciting subversion of state power.

He was arrested after he signed, along with 300 other intellectuals, the political manifesto Charter 08, which called for constitutional rights such as freedom of the press and expression as well as the implementation of a multi-party system.

His family was allowed to meet him 10 days ago at the hospital and he was then in a stable condition, according to his lawyer.

His family has so far ruled out seeking medical aid abroad. Liu's wife, Liu Xia, is currently under house arrest.