A top Mafia suspect, arrested in Italy during a major police operation, has been found hanged in his cell.
The authorities believe the suspect, Francesco Pastoia, 62, was one of the most trusted aides to fugitive Mafia boss Bernardo Provenzano.
Investigators said Mr Pastoia was an intermediary for other Mafia leaders who wanted to meet Mr Provenzano.
During Monday's raid in Sicily, police arrested another 45 people suspected of helping Mr Provenzano evade capture.
The Mafia boss has been on the run for 41 years.
Reports in Italy say police believe Mr Pastoia hanged himself after discovering investigators had bugged his home after he returned from a period in prison.
As well as the raids in Sicily, the Italian authorities have been targeting mafia activity in southern Calabria and in Naples, where violence between rival gangs has left about 100 people dead in the past year.
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