The cleric, identified as Maulana Fariduddin Mahfuz, was arrested at the airport in Dhaka as he prepared to board a flight to Dubai.

Mahfuz, who once headed the state-run Islamic Foundation, is accused of trying to flee the country after intelligence agencies unearthed proof of his involvement in the series of cross-country explosions which triggered nationwide panic.

The foundation publishes books and organizes seminars on Islam besides running the biggest mosque in the country.

Government sources claimed Mahfuz had strong ties with the banned militant group Jamiat ul Mujahideen which has been blamed for the bombings in cities and towns across the country.