 As Audin was French rather than Algerian, his "disappearance" while in the custody of the French Army led to the case becoming a "cause célèbre" as his widow aided by the historian Pierre Vidal-Naquet determinedly sought to have the men responsible for her husband's death prosecuted.Existentialist writer, philosopher and playwright Albert Camus, native of Algiers, tried unsuccessfully to persuade both sides to at least leave civilians alone, writing editorials against the use of torture in "Combat" newspaper.The FLN considered him a fool, and some "Pieds-Noirs" considered him a traitor.