An Algerian man who vanished at 19 has been found alive, leaving his family and community stunned.
Omar bin Omran, missing since 1998, is now 45 years old. He was located just 650 feet from his family’s home, in a neighbor’s cellar, as reported by Al Jazeera.
This discovery resolves a 26-year-old mystery dating back to the Algerian civil war. Many family members had believed him to be dead after so long, but his mother, who passed away in 2013, never gave up hope that her son would be found alive.
The alleged captor, a 61-year-old man, was arrested at the scene after attempting to escape, according to the BBC. Algeria’s Ministry of Justice condemned the act as “heinous” and confirmed that an investigation is underway to uncover the full details surrounding bin Omran’s captivity.
Currently, Omar bin Omran is receiving extensive medical care for both physical and psychological trauma, the BBC reported. In a shocking revelation, bin Omran shared that during his 26 years in captivity, he occasionally saw some family members but was unable to ask for help. He claimed that his captor had placed a “spell” on him, preventing him from seeking aid.
@metrouk A man who went missing 27 years ago, has been found in a cellar just 200m away from his family. Omar’s dog even reportedly pined for him, recognising by his scent that he was near. A 61-year-old man’s been taken into custody. #fy #fyp #algeria #missingperson #missingpersoncases #found #lifestory #crimecases #crime #worldnews #missing ♬ original sound – MetroUK
The strange and tragic kidnapping came to light recently, reportedly due to an inheritance dispute between the suspect and his brother. The brother posted incriminating details on social media, prompting the National Gendarmerie, which handles police services in rural Algeria, to launch an investigation. This ultimately led to a search of the suspect’s home, where bin Omran was discovered.
