Teen kidnapped 26 years ago rescued from neighbor’s cellar

Omar Bin Omran as a teenager before he was kidnapped, pictured with two younger relatives

Omar Bin Omran as he climbed out of the hole where he had been kept captive for almost 30 years

A man who vanished nearly 30 years ago at 17 after an alleged kidnapping has been discovered alive in a surprising location: a hole beneath hay in a sheep pen within his neighbor's home. Identified as Omar Bin Omran (or Imran), he was one of nine children and disappeared in Djelfa, Algeria, 27 years ago amid civil war turmoil. Despite assumptions of his death during the conflict, Omar, now 45, was found just 200 meters from his family's residence. A 61-year-old suspect is in custody following Omar's rescue on May 12.

Footage shared on social media and Algerian TV captured the dramatic moment of Omar's discovery. He was found in a pit surrounded by hay, appearing shocked amidst the search party. Other images revealed Omar as a teenager and now, bearded, after his long absence.

His family is thought to have believed him dead, killed in the Algerian civil war that raged more than 20 years ago. Relatives claim the dog was poisoned after it began smelling Omar's scent close by

Reports from Algerian newspaper El Khabar indicate that a dog near the location recognized Omar's scent, suggesting he was held nearby. Allegedly, the captor poisoned the dog to deter Omar's family. Omar's disappearance in 1998 sparked a search, but it took the captor's brother airing grievances online over an inheritance dispute to lead to Omar's rescue from the sheep pen.

Tragically, Omar's mother passed away in 2013, unaware of her son's fate. Now rescued, Omar will receive psychological care, and authorities vow to pursue justice for him. The suspect will face severe consequences for the crime. Despite questions about why Omar didn't seek help during his captivity, Algerian media mentioned he claimed he couldn't due to a spell cast by the captor, likely reflecting his altered psychological state.

Comparisons have been made to other lengthy kidnapping cases globally, such as Jaycee Dugard's abduction in 1991 in California, highlighting the harrowing and enduring nature of such tragedies.