Sarkozy has been found guilty of criminal conspiracy to finance his 2007 election campaign with money obtained from Libya. However, Sarkozy maintains his innocence.

Paris : Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived at a Paris prison on Tuesday to begin serving a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy to finance his 2007 election campaign with money obtained from Libya. He is the first former president of modern France to be jailed. Sarkozy left his home holding the hand of his wife Carla Bruni Sarkozy and boarded a car to reach La Sante prison.

In a statement released on social media while on his way to jail, Sarkozy said an innocent man was being jailed. Last month, he was convicted of conspiring to finance his 2007 presidential election campaign with illegal funds from Libya. Sarkozy has challenged the judge's decision to jail him while he is still incarcerated pending his sentence and appeal.

Went to jail after meeting supporters

His journey from the presidential residence, the Elysee Palace, to the notorious La Santé prison has shocked all of France. Minutes before entering the prison, Sarkozy and his wife left their home to visit their children and grandchildren. They waved to a crowd of supporters gathered in the upper-class area of ​​Paris and then got into their car.

Hundreds of supporters chanted slogans in support of Sarkozy as he was taken to jail. Sarkozy's sons and daughter, Jean, Pierre, Louis and Julia, and his grandchildren were all present. Paris resident Michelle Peri, 67, said she came to show support because she felt outraged and unjust. Controversial President Emmanuel Macron hosted Sarkozy at the Elysee Palace last week.

Will stay in solitary confinement

Macron said, "I have always taken a clear stand on the independence of the judiciary, but from a humanitarian perspective, it was appropriate to meet my predecessor in this situation." Sarkozy's lawyers said the former president would be held in solitary confinement (solitary confinement) for security reasons, where he would be separated from other prisoners.

Sarkozy's lawyer, Christophe Ingrain, told BFM TV that his imprisonment had "strengthened his resolve and his passion to prove his innocence." Sarkozy also plans to write a book about his prison experience. "I am not afraid of prison. I will hold my head high and fight until the very end," Sarkozy told La Tribune Dimanche newspaper.

Court order

A Paris court has ordered Sarkozy to begin serving his prison sentence without waiting for his appeal to be heard because the crime caused a serious disruption of public order. According to the court order, 70-year-old Sarkozy can apply to the appeals court for his release only after entering prison, and judges will have two months to decide on it. His lawyers said the request for release will be filed very soon.

PC:NBT