Chinese doctors said Monday that terminally ill human rights defender Liu Xiaobo is in a "critical condition".

The announcement came a day after Western experts said that the Nobel prize can be sent for treatment abroad, if he will be allowed to leave China in the near future. In a statement released by the hospital where Liu is being treated for cancer of the liver, described his worsening symptoms and condition, citing his medical team consisting of famous Chinese oncologists - that it is not suitable for invasive procedures or radiation therapy.

"The doctors suggested close monitoring of patient's blood pressure, correction of low blood pressure, active anti-infective therapy and blood purification," reads the statement, which says that the Liu family was informed about the opinion of the team.

Authorities have approved the request of the family to invite Western doctors to join the medical team, Liu to the hospital in Shenyang in northeast China.

Liu received a medical certificate and released from prison last month after he was diagnosed with liver cancer late stage. He was serving an 11-year prison sentence for "inciting Subversion of state power" in Jinzhou, near Shenyang.
sections: Society, World News, Accidents