Police arrest Sicilian mafia boss in Bali Published duration 7 December 2012

image caption The suspect was living in a luxury flat near Kuta Beach

Italian and Indonesian police have arrested a Sicilian mafia boss living in a luxury resort on the Indonesian island of Bali.

Antonino Messicati Vitale, 40, is believed to head the Villabate clan and is wanted on multiple charges.

Italian police discovered that he was living in Bali after bugging the telephones of friends and relatives.

Detectives tracked him down after they followed a group of his relatives who travelled from Italy to see him.

"The fugitive's residence was in a luxurious residence in a seaside resort in Bali," Italian police said in a statement.

The Associated Press said the flat was in the Legian neighbourhood, just north of the popular tourist area of Kuta.

A warrant for his arrest was issued in April. Italian police said he is wanted for involvement in murder, human trafficking and arms trading.

He is believed to have been living in Bali for several months.

According to Italian media reports, he did not resist his arrest.

He is now expected to be extradited to face trial in Italy.

"According to the red notice that we received, we have to follow up formally by extraditing him to Italy," said Yudi Sroja, of Indonesia's national crime bureau.

"However, there is no extradition treaty between Indonesia and Italy, so this will be processed through the ministry of justice and human rights."