Kidnappers have released an Algerian man who was abducted eights days ago reportedly for ransom after local residents took to the streets to demand his release, Algerian radio reported Sunday.
The 35-year-old man was abducted on July 3 by an armed gang near the northern town of Freha, about 110 km east of Algiers, sparking massive anger among residents of the town.
On Saturday, thousands of people from Freha and adjacent areas took to the town streets in marches to protest his kidnapping and demand his unconditional release.
The Sunday release is the third of its kind after two hostages were released separately after similar protests with no ransoms paid.
Kidnappings are frequent in Algeria and are usually carried out by armed groups and Islamists hoping to collect ransoms from the hostages' relatives.