Chinese Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo dies in hospital aged 61

China’s most prominent dissident was battling liver cancer in north-eastern China

Chinese Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo has passed away
Chinese Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo has passed away

Chinese Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo has died in a hospital in north-eastern China, where he was being treated for liver cancer.

Xiaobo, China’s most prominent dissident, was serving an 11-year prison term for “subversion” and had been transferred from the prison to the hospital last month.

A university professor turned tireless rights campaigner, Liu was branded a criminal by authorities, and was repeatedly jailed throughout his life.

He was also subject to severe restrictions when not in prison, while his wife, Liu Xia, was placed under house arrest.

In the weeks leading up to his death, Liu's case became mired in international controversy.

Several Western countries urged China to allow Mr Liu to leave the country to seek palliative care elsewhere. A German and an American doctor who recently visited and examined him in a hospital in Shenyang both said he would be able to travel abroad.

But Chinese medical experts insisted that he was too ill to travel.