Brazil has banned the sale of a controversial computer game in which players gain points by stealing cars and killing policemen, according to the government's official gazette. In a decree Monday, the Justice Ministry ordered the removal of all copies of the PC CD-ROM "Grand Theft Auto" from shop shelves and imposed a fine of $8,580 on anyone found selling the product.

The ministry considers the game dangerous because it trivializes robbery and murder and could incite younger players to violence, a spokeswoman said Tuesday. The game caused an outcry in Australia and Britain when it was released last year.

(c) Reuters