Kiefer Sutherland's 24 defense

Mar 18, 2007, 9:00 GMT

Kiefer Sutherland - © Glenn Harris / Photorazzi

Kiefer Sutherland insists '24' does not condone torture.

The actor - who plays counter terrorism agent Jack Bauer in the hit TV show - has slammed reports the series is too violent, saying it sparks healthy political debate.

Kiefer said: "'24' is absolutely not - categorically not - a justification for torture. I think the whole thing has been taken out of context. We are interested this has become a debate on a very public level. That's what is fantastic about entertainment - it brings certain subjects into people's conversations.

"We are a television show, we use some of the torture sequences as a dramatic device to heighten tension. We are not saying, 'This is the way the world should be, and we are condoning this.' "

The show - which has featured Jack attempt to suffocate his own brother and shown a terrorist inflicting injures with a power drill in the current series - was recently attacked by US army officials for encouraging young soldiers to copy the maverick agent.

Brigadier General Patrick Finnegan, head of the US Military Academy at West Point, has urged TV bosses to portray the reality of torture.

Finnegan fumed: "The kids see it and say, 'If torture is wrong, what about '24'?"

While '24' bosses have agreed to tone down future torture scenes, Kiefer insists the violence is a "reality".

He said: "There is a reality to the show. Terrorism is a reality and has been since the world began. It's a balanced show - for every terrorist there's a freedom fighter."

(C) BANG Media International