Italian police have arrested Mario Scaramella, a businessman who met with former Russian security officer Aleksandr Litvinenko in London the day before he fell ill. Mr Scaramella was taken into custody in Naples, after returning from London.

Italian prosecutors have allegedly been investigating him for violating state secrets and possible arms trafficking.

However, it is still not clear if the arrest of Mario Scaramella, whose statements have been rather conflicting and unsubstantiated, is connected to the Litvinenko case. The British media say Mario Scaramella is one of the most mysterious people in the case, describing him as an Italian lawyer, academic and international security consultant.