Prosecution demands 80-year sentence for former Liberian president Charles Taylor

Prosecutors have demanded an 80-year sentence for former Liberian president Charles Taylor following his war crimes conviction last week.

Judges at the Special Court for Sierra Leone found Taylor guilty of 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including aiding and abetting murder and rape, for his part in arming Sierra Leone rebels in exchange for "blood diamonds" mined by slave laborers.

In a written submission, prosecutor Brenda Hollis said an 80-year sentence would "reflect the essential role Mr. Taylor played in crimes of such extreme scope and gravity."

The 64-year-old Taylor will be sentenced next month after a separate hearing.

AP