An Algerian man who disappeared at 19 has been found alive, surprising his family and community.
Omar bin Omran, missing since 1998, is now 45 years old. According to Al Jazeera, he was discovered in a neighbor’s cellar just 650 meters away from his family’s home.
The revelation ended a 26-year mystery that began during the Algerian civil war. Despite some family members believing he was deceased due to his prolonged absence, his mother, who passed away in 2013, never lost hope of his return.
The alleged captor, a 61-year-old man, was apprehended on the spot while trying to escape, as per BBC reports. The Algerian Ministry of Justice denounced the crime as “gruesome” and stated that a thorough investigation is ongoing to uncover the circumstances surrounding Bin Omran’s captivity.
Presently, Omar bin Omran is receiving extensive medical care for physical and psychological injuries, according to the BBC. In a surprising revelation, bin Omran shared that he had sporadic encounters with family members over the past 26 years but was unable to seek assistance. He claimed that his captor had “bewitched” him, preventing him from seeking aid.
The unusual and tragic kidnapping was uncovered due to an alleged inheritance dispute between the suspect and his brother. Following the suspect’s brother sharing incriminating details on social media, the National Gendarmerie initiated a thorough investigation, leading to a search at the suspect’s residence where bin Omran was found.
The case has rattled the community and the nation, raising concerns about how such a prolonged and nearby captivity could go unnoticed.
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