The Norwegian Nobel Committee has demanded unconditional release of China's first peace-prize laureate, Liu Xiaobo. In a statement, the Oslo-based Nobel Committee criticized the Chinese authorities, saying that Liu should never have been sentenced to jail in the first place. <br/><br/>It said that the authorities carry a heavy responsibility if Liu has been denied necessary medical treatment because of his imprisonment. The committee also said that it hopes Liu will now be released without condition and offered the best possible treatment for his illness. <br/><br/>The government of China's Liaoning Province yesterday said that 61-year-old Liu Xiaobo has been granted medical parole after being diagnosed with liver cancer. Liu was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2009 for criticizing the Communist Party's one-party rule and trying to overthrow the government.<br/><br/> In the following year, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Chinese government did not let him leave prison to attend the award ceremony.