An Algerian man who had been missing for 26 years was found in a hole in a neighbor’s property in north-central Algeria, and claimed to have been under a spell that prevented him from calling for help, according to reports.
Omar bin Omran, 45, disappeared in 1996 at the age of 17 during Algeria’s civil war, and his family presumes he died in combat, the US Sun reported. report. According to the report, Bin Omran was found on May 12 under a haystack in the basement of a neighboring sheep farm. Bin Omran said he was unable to call for help because his alleged captor had cast a spell on him.
The farm was just 0.2 miles from Bin Omran’s family home in Djelfa. according to Barons. The US Sun newspaper revealed that the suspect’s brother was dissatisfied with him over an inheritance dispute and shared details of Bin Omran’s kidnapping on social media. This act reportedly led to Bin Omran’s discovery.
The suspect, a 61-year-old doorman who works in the nearby town of El Guedido, tried to flee but was arrested, Barron’s reported. According to the US Sun, the suspect lived alone. (Related: Dramatic video of woman running away from suspected kidnapper after two months in captivity)
A man who disappeared at the age of 17 is found alive in his neighbor’s basement where he was kept captive for 27 years. https://t.co/2IrH0elbiS pic.twitter.com/RgZarqTXCB
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) May 15, 2024
“At 8:00 pm local time on May 12, the Djelfa Attorney General’s Office announced to the public that the victim, Mr. Omar B. (45 years old), was found in the case of his neighbor Mr. BA (61 years old),” Djelfa said. The prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
The victim’s mother died while he was missing, and his dog, who had been waiting for his return, also went missing, the US Sun further reported.
Authorities have since launched an investigation, calling the kidnapping charges “heinous” and vowing to bring the suspects to a “severe” trial, according to the report.
Bin Omran will reportedly undergo psychological treatment as ordered by the prosecutor’s office.
