Artist Ai Weiwei urges China to release political prisoner Lui Xiaobo who is dying from cancer

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Artist Ai Weiwei has called for the release of China’s most famous political prisoner, Liu Xiaobo.

A longtime friend of the Nobel Peace Prize winner, who was recently diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, Mr Ai urged Beijing to free Lui who has been held since 2009.

The political dissident was jailed for his role in the conception of Charter 08, a pro-democracy document that called for an end to one-party rule.

“I think the government should release him. This is a historic mistake,” Mr Ai told The Guardian.“The government should just release him and have a better record – because this is going to be remembered by the whole world."

He added: “They [must] admit that this was a horrible mistake… To sacrifice the best people in this nation – the best minds in this nation – and to put them in such a horrible situation. That is what they continue to do now and it is unacceptable.”

Liu has requested treatment for his condition overseas. He has been seen by German and American specialists in China and they confirmed he was in the final stages of the disease.

But Shang Baojun, Mr Liu's former lawyer, said the political prisoner wanted to go abroad.

The First Hospital of China Medical University said on its website that the cancer had spread to his entire body.

Mr Liu had accumulated a large amount of abdominal fluid and his condition was "quite serious," it added.

The hospital said last week that doctors had ceased giving him cancer-fighting drugs over concerns they were further weakening his liver.

However, in recognition of his condition, Mr Liu’s younger and older brothers as well as their wives were being allowed to visit him.

"I think the authorities are in crisis mode. They too are not sure if Liu Xiaobo will pass away soon because his condition is quite obviously worsening," Hu Jia, a family friend, said.

China’s treatment of one of their most renowned political prisoners and only Noble Peace Prize winner, has been condemned worldwide.

There have been numerous calls for his release on account of his current condition.

The United Nations spokeswoman Liz Throssell said the organisation should be given access to Mr Liu.