Taylor facing 80 years in jail

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, 64, guilty of 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including aiding and abetting murder and rape, by arming rebels in exchange for “blood diamonds” mined by slave labour.

In a written submission prosecutor Brenda Hollis said an 80-year sentence would “reflect the essential role Taylor played in crimes of extreme gravity”.

Taylor will be sentenced next month after a separate hearing.