KYIV, Aug. 16 - Ukrainian prosecutors in the treason trial against ex-President Viktor Yanukovych have asked the court in Kyiv to sentence the pro-Russian former leader to 15 years in prison, RFE/RL reported.

Prosecutors Ruslan Kravchenko and Maksym Krym made the request on Thursday during closing arguments of Yanukovych's trial in absentia.

Yanukovych has been charged with high treason, complicity in an aggressive war against Ukraine, and complicity in premeditated activities aimed at altering Ukraine's state borders.

He remains in Russia, where he fled in February 2014 amid rising unrest following a deadly crackdown against Euromaiden protesters by riot police in Kyiv.

The pro-European Union protests were triggered by Yanukovych's decision to scrap plans for a landmark trade accord with the EU.

Dozens of people were killed when the authorities attempted to clamp down on the protests.

Shortly after he fled, Russia seized Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and fomented opposition to the central government in eastern Ukraine -- leading to an ongoing war between Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatists that has killed more than 10,300 people.

After closing arguments on August 16, Judge Vladyslav Devyatko adjourned the trial until September 13. (ref/ez)