For years, Omran’s loved ones assumed the worst. They believed he had either been kidnapped or killed during the brutal Algerian Civil War that tore through the country for a decade during the 1990s and early 2000s.
But everything changed on May 12, 2024, when Omran — now 45 years old was found alive in a hay-covered cellar belonging to his neighbor. The location was heartbreakingly close, just 200 yards away from the home he had left nearly three decades earlier.
Clips shared on social media and broadcast by Algerian TV captured Omran with a long beard and a worn sweater, blinking against the sun as rescuers pulled him from what looked like a hole hidden beneath hay.
In the shaky video, torchlights shine down into the cramped pit as Omar lifts his head with a stunned expression, finally realizing he is no longer trapped underground.
According to Algerian media, the man accused of holding him captive is a 61-year-old doorman from the nearby town of El Guedid. He was arrested after attempting to run away when authorities began closing in on him.
Shockingly, the accused kidnapper is also believed to have killed Omar’s dog by poisoning it, perhaps to prevent the animal from drawing attention to the captivity.
Officials later confirmed: “Following this report, the General Prosecutor of the Court of Idrisiya in the province of Djelfa ordered the National Gendarmerie to open an in-depth investigation and officers went to the house in question.” as cited by the outlet.
“The Public Prosecutor’s Office ordered that the victim receive medical and psychological treatment, and the suspect will be presented to the Public Prosecutor’s Office immediately after the completion of the investigation.” he added, stressing that the “perpetrator of this heinous crime” would face trial with the full weight of the law and the utmost “severity”.
Most of his relatives had long accepted that he was dead, but his mother never lost hope. She clung to the belief that her son was still alive somewhere.
Her final plea was heartbreaking: “Please, do not stop searching for Omar. I am sure he is still alive.” according to local reports.
