Paris, Oct. 21: Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived at La Santé prison in Paris on Tuesday to begin serving a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy to finance his 2007 election campaign with Libyan funds, making him the first modern French leader to be imprisoned.

Sarkozy, 70, was accompanied by his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, as hundreds of supporters gathered outside their home, chanting his name, waving French flags, and displaying banners reading “Courage Nicolas, return soon” and “true France with Nicolas.”

On the way to La Santé, Sarkozy posted on social media, saying that “an innocent man” was being locked up. Upon arrival, he was placed in solitary confinement for security reasons. He is allowed one hour per day in the prison yard and up to three weekly visits from family members.

Sarkozy’s lawyers immediately filed a request for his release pending appeal. “It’s an ominous day for him, for France, and for our institutions, because this incarceration is a disgrace,” said Jean-Michel Darrois, one of Sarkozy’s attorneys, AP reported. Christophe Ingrain, another lawyer, called the sentence “a serious injustice,” but added that the former president “doesn’t complain and hasn’t asked for anything, no special treatment.”

To occupy his time in prison, Sarkozy brought three books, including Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo, a bag of sweaters, and earplugs to cope with the noise. He has expressed plans to write a book about his prison experience.

Sarkozy was convicted last month for criminal conspiracy after the Paris court found that, as a presidential candidate and former interior minister, he used his position between 2005 and 2007 to illegally secure Libyan funds to finance his 2007 presidential campaign. The court cited “the seriousness of the disruption to public order caused by the offense” as justification for him to begin serving his sentence immediately rather than waiting for his appeal.

Despite being retired from active politics, Sarkozy remains influential, especially in conservative circles. Last week, President Emmanuel Macron met with him at the presidential palace, describing the meeting as “normal on a human level” while reaffirming judicial independence.

Supporters at the prison and outside Sarkozy’s home expressed outrage over his jail term. “It’s scandalous to see a former president being taken away while still presumed innocent,” said Paris resident Virginie Rochon, AP reported. Another supporter, Véronique Maurey, added, “Calling it a ‘criminal conspiracy’ makes all of us feel like criminals too because we voted for him.”

Sarkozy, who has vowed to fight the conviction until the end, told La Tribune Dimanche, “I’m not afraid of prison. I’ll hold my head high, including in front of the doors of La Santé.”-Agencies