A young Algerian man, who had disappeared at the age of 19, has recently been discovered alive, much to the astonishment of his family and community.

Omar bin Omran, who vanished in 1998, is currently 45 years old. According to Al Jazeera, he was found in a neighbor’s cellar, a mere 650 feet from his family’s home.

This discovery finally put an end to a mystery that had been lingering for 26 years, a mystery that had its roots in the chaotic times of the Algerian civil war. Considering the long period of time he was missing, certain family members had assumed he was no longer alive. Despite the tragic loss of his mother in 2013, she always held onto the belief that her son would be found alive.

According to BBC, the alleged captor, a 61-year-old man, was apprehended at the location while trying to escape. The Ministry of Justice in Algeria has strongly condemned the act, describing it as «heinous.» They have also assured the public that a thorough investigation is currently underway to uncover all the details surrounding bin Omran’s captivity.

According to the BBC, Omar bin Omran is currently undergoing extensive medical treatment for both physical and psychological traumas. Surprisingly, bin Omran shared that throughout the last 26 years, he had random encounters with certain members of his family, yet he found himself unable to seek their assistance. He claimed that his captor had cast a “spell” on him, rendering him incapable of seeking assistance.

A strange and heartbreaking kidnapping case has recently come to attention, as it appears to be connected to a dispute over inheritance between the suspect and his brother. After the suspect’s brother shared some damning details on social media, the National Gendarmerie, in charge of policing rural areas in Algeria, felt compelled to launch a deeper investigation. As a result of the investigation, authorities searched the suspect’s residence and found bin Omran.

This case has caused a great deal of concern within the community and the nation, prompting inquiries into how a situation of prolonged and close-proximity captivity could have gone unnoticed.

@metrouk A man who went missing 27 years ago, has been found in a cellar just 200m away from his family. Omar's dog even reportedly pined for him, recognising by his scent that he was near. A 61-year-old man's been taken into custody. #fy #fyp #algeria #missingperson #missingpersoncases #found #lifestory #crimecases #crime #worldnews #missing ♬ original sound — MetroUK