A Chilean appeals court has approved bail for members of late dictator General Augusto Pinochet's family and former associates following their arrest Thursday on corruption charges.

A three-judge panel Saturday approved another magistrate's earlier decision to free Pinochet's 84-year-old widow (Lucia Hiriart), their five adult children, and 17 former associates.

Authorities say the 23 suspects participated in the misuse of funds during Pinochet's dictatorship from 1973 to 1990.

Thursday's arrests are related to an investigation into multi-million-dollar accounts the late military ruler held in banks in the United States and elsewhere.

Pinochet died last December without ever facing trial on charges of embezzlement and human rights violations.

The case is the latest faced by the Pinochet family in connection with money believed to have been embezzled during the general's 17 years in power. Family members previously have been charged with tax evasion.