Berlusconi associate held over Ranucci bomb attack

Italian police arrested businessman Valter Lavitola, who had ties to former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, over a bomb attack last year outside the home of television journalist Sigfrido Ranucci.

Rome's carabinieri police said Lavitola was the alleged mastermind of the October 16 attack in Pomezia, south of Rome. They accused him of instructing Tavares Gomes Clesio to recruit four men arrested in June who are accused of placing the bomb.

Police said Lavitola and Gomes took part in an initial inspection outside Ranucci's home in September. Gomes is still being sought.

Ranucci, host of the weekly investigative programme "Report" on state broadcaster Rai, was not injured. The blast damaged two cars and part of a gate outside his home.

Police did not give a motive for the attack. Ranucci has investigated sensitive subjects including mafia and political corruption and has lived under police protection for years.