In Campobello di Mazara the Carabinieri of the Ros special department arrested Alfonso Tumbarello, 70, the doctor accused of having treated Messina Denaro for years while he was Italy's most wanted fugitive.

Tumbarello has been charged with external complicity in mafia association and making false statements.

Also taken into custody was Andrea Bonafede, cousin and namesake of the surveyor who lent his identity to the godfather and bought on his behalf the house where the boss spent his last months.

Prosecutors have charged him with aiding and abetting and failure to comply with a sentence aggravated by favouring Cosa Nostra.

ANSA