Man who was kidnapped at age 19 discovered alive 26 years later in neighbour's house

According to the country’s Ministry of Justice, the man, identified alternatively as Omar bin Omran or Omar B, disappeared when he was 19 years old and was long ago assumed to have been kidnapped or killed.

But he was found alive earlier this week at the age of 45, after being held captive by a neighbour in a sheepfold hidden by haystacks just 200 metres from his old home in Djelfa, part of northern Algeria. 

Reports alleged Mr Bin Omran’s family was alerted to his whereabouts after the brother of his alleged captor revealed details of the "kidnapping" on social media following an inheritance dispute.

Officials confirmed they arrested the 61-year-old man suspected of keeping the prisoner for 27 years.

Public prosecutors in Djelfa said in a statement: "The Djelfa Attorney General’s Office informs the public that on May 12 at 8 pm local time it found victim Omar B, aged 45, in the case of his neighbour, B.A., aged 61."

The suspect is believed to live alone and works as a civil servant.

The ministry said that an investigation into the “heinous” crime was ongoing and that the victim is receiving medical and psychological care.

The missing man’s family recalled how his dog used to wait on the doorstep of his alleged kidnapper’s home after he disappeared. But the dog later vanished as well.

Bin Omran’s mother died in 2013 when the family still believed he was likely dead. 

Her last wish was “Please, do not stop searching for Omar. I am sure he is still alive,” according to the reports. 

Media outlets in Algeria reported that bin Omran told his rescuers he could sometimes see his family from afar, but that he felt incapable of calling out because of a “spell” his captor cast upon him.

His discovery on Sunday solves a mystery that had lingered in his community since Algeria’s bloody civil war. Relatives of war victims are still seeking justice for their missing and dead loved ones.