Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy Begins Historic Prison Sentence While Maintaining Innocence

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy began his prison sentence on Tuesday, becoming the first ex-leader of an EU state to be jailed, while firmly maintaining his innocence.

Nicolas Sarkozy, who served as France's right-wing president from 2007 to 2012, was convicted last month of conspiracy related to allegedly seeking campaign funding from Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

Journalists witnessed the 70-year-old former leader leave his home and enter La Sante prison in Paris, accompanied by police motorcade. Inmates could be heard shouting, "Welcome Sarkozy!" and "Sarkozy's here!" as he arrived.

In a defiant social media message posted during his transfer, Sarkozy proclaimed: "It is not a former president of the republic being jailed this morning, but an innocent man. I have no doubt. The truth will prevail."

The court handed Sarkozy a five-year jail sentence in September for criminal conspiracy involving a plan for Kadhafi to fund his electoral campaign. Following his verdict on September 25, Sarkozy had declared he would "sleep in prison -- but with my head held high."

Dozens of supporters gathered outside Sarkozy's residence early Tuesday, holding framed portraits and chanting "Nicolas, Nicolas! Free Nicolas" as he departed holding hands with his wife, singer Carla Bruni. Earlier, supporters sang the French national anthem while neighbors observed from their balconies.

"This is truly a sad day for France and for democracy," said supporter Flora Amanou, 41.

Sarkozy becomes the first French leader incarcerated since Philippe Petain, the Nazi collaborationist head of state jailed after World War II. The former president told Le Figaro newspaper he would bring with him a biography of Jesus and "The Count of Monte Cristo," a novel about an innocent man wrongfully imprisoned who later escapes to seek revenge.

Prison staff indicated Sarkozy would likely be held in a nine square meter cell in the solitary confinement wing to prevent contact with other prisoners. In solitary confinement, he will be permitted one daily walk alone in a small yard and allowed three visits per week.

The duration of Sarkozy's imprisonment remains uncertain. Judge Nathalie Gavarino cited the "exceptional gravity" of his offenses when ordering his immediate incarceration despite his appeal. Sarkozy's legal team is expected to request his release promptly, with the appeals court having two months to consider the request.

Sarkozy has faced numerous legal challenges since losing his 2012 re-election bid. He has been convicted in two separate trials, previously serving a sentence for graft under house arrest with electronic monitoring until May.

In the Libyan case, prosecutors alleged his aides negotiated a deal with Kadhafi in 2005 to illegally finance his successful 2007 presidential campaign. Investigators believe Kadhafi was promised assistance in rehabilitating his international image following Libya's implication in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing and another over Niger in 1989.

The court convicted Sarkozy of criminal conspiracy regarding this plan but acquitted him of charges including embezzlement of Libyan public funds, passive corruption, and illicit campaign financing.

Sarkozy had already lost France's highest honor, the Legion of Honour, following an earlier graft conviction. According to a survey by pollster Elabe, six out of ten French citizens consider the prison sentence fair.

Despite his legal troubles, Sarkozy maintains support among the French right and has occasionally met with current President Emmanuel Macron, including at the Elysee Palace last Friday. Macron defended this meeting on Monday, saying: "It was normal, on a human level, for me to receive one of my predecessors in this context."