Grand Theft Auto V condemned for graphic torture scenes

Grand Theft Auto 5, the most expensive computer game ever made, has caused outrage for including a torture scene in which the player must pull teeth and electrocute an unarmed man.

Freedom from Torture joined Amnesty, British teachers' union the ATU and former British minister Keith Vaz in condemning the scene, two days after the worldwide release of the game.

In the 18-rated game the player becomes career criminal Trevor Phillips. One of Phillips' missions involves torturing an alleged terrorist for information at the behest of the FBI.

Players must complete the scene to finish the game and are offered a selection of torture implements, including sledgehammers and electric cables, to use on the victim. If his heart stops, a shot of adrenaline restarts it.

"Rockstar North [the makers of the game] has crossed a line by effectively forcing people to take on the role of a torturer and perform a series of unspeakable acts if they want to achieve success," said Freedom from Torture chief executive Keith Best.

"Torture is a reality, not a game and glamorising it in popular culture undoes the work of organisations like Freedom from Torture and survivor activists who campaign against it."