A Syrian man suspected of planning to carry out a bomb attack on a German airport was found dead in his jail cell after committing suicide, the Justice Ministry said on Wednesday.

"On the evening of October 12, 2016, Jaber Albakr, who was suspected of planning a serious attack, took his life in the detention center at Leipzig correctional hospital," the ministry said in a statement.

AlBakr was arrested on Monday following a two day manhunt after security forces found explosives in his apartment in the eastern German city of Chemnitz.

It is unclear how the suspect was able to kill himself despite being under surveillance due to the risk of suicide and a hunger strike. The DPA news agency reported Albakr hung himself.

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The 22-year-old Syrian refugee was subdued and handed over to police in Leipzig on Monday by three other Syrian refugees, who have since been described as heroes. They reportedly invited the fugitive to stay in their apartment, only to realize shortly later that Albakr was being sought after by police.

Hans-Georg Maassen, the head of Germany's domestic intelligence service, said Albakr was preparing to carry out an attack on a Berlin airport within days before the raid on his apartment.

Albakr arrived in Germany last year and had been granted asylum after passing security checks. Investigators say they believe he was motivated by the "Islamic State" and may have become radicalized while in Germany.

The thwarted plot has renewed focus on security after Germany took in 890,000 refugees last year, many from Syria.

Watch video 00:35 Syrian suspect in Germany bomb plot dead

cw/rc (dpa, Reuters)