ROME, Dec 24: Police in Naples on Sunday arrested the Italian man who met poisoned Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko on the day he fell ill, but apparently on unrelated charges, Italy's ANSA news agency announced.

Mario Scaramella was arrested in the southern Italian city on his arrival from London, where he had been hospitalised for checks after traces of polonium 210, the poison which killed Litvinenko, were found in his body.

He was then taken to Rome and held at the capital's Regina Coeli prison.

Scaramella is being investigated by Italian prosecutors for arms trafficking, the agency reported, a probe launched before the Litvinenko case captured world headlines.

He was arrested by agents from Italy's special anti-terrorism unit, the DIGOS, and was to be sent to Rome.

London's Metropolitain police said that Scaramella's arrest was not related to their inquiries into the Litvinenko's death.

A mysterious figure described as a security expert and international consultant, Scaramella met Litvinenko at a Japanese restaurant in London on Nov 1.

Shortly after, the former Russian spy experienced his first symptoms of polonium poisioning. He died on Nov 23, in a dramatic case that has affected relations between Britain and Russia.

Besides arms trafficking, Scaramella has been targeted in inquiries related to violating legislation on the disposal of non-dangerous waste, libel and giving the legal authorities false information.—AFP