The Military Hospital of Santiago said Pinochet suffered a stroke, but "has overcome the critical condition," and might be released in a few days.

The stroke and subsequent hospitalization came just before an expected court verdict Monday on whether the former president, who ruled Chile from 1973 to 1990, should be tried in a human rights case.

Prosecution lawyers said this was  "an old maneuver" by Pinochet to avoid appearing in court.

Pinochet charged with murder

But Pinochet's relatives and supporters accused Judge Juan Guzman, who issued an indictment against the former general last week, as causing Pinochet's latest stroke.

Pinochet, 89, who suffers from diabetes and frequent minor strokes, faces dozens of human rights cases.