Prague - The condition of former president Václav Havel has worsened and is said to be grave at the moment.

Václav Havel was hospitalized last night because of an unspecified "inflammatory illness." He underwent a minor surgery and his condition was stable then.

But it became serious this morning and the hospital in Prague - Motol convened all experts that are familiar with Havel's medical history to negotiate further steps.

"Mr President underwent an x-ray check and we discovered it was probably the inflammatory illness in the front part of his throat and therefore decided to go for the surgery," otolaryngology department's Jan Bětka said for Aktuálně.cz.

The doctors ruled out an oncology-related illness.

In the past 71-year old Havel suffered from a number of respiratory problems which doctors believe were caused by the long years he spent in communist prisons. He had a cancerous tumor found in his lung and removed in 1996. 

Havel's state of health regularly worsens during the winter months. He was hospitalized last February with a chronic bronchitis and heart arrhythmia.