Nicolas Sarkozy has started his five-year prison sentence.
The former President of France, who served from 2007 to 2012, arrived at La Santé Prison in Paris on Tuesday, Oct. 21, after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy to finance his 2007 election campaign with illegal funds obtained by Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi, according to BBC News and the Associated Press.
According to NBC News, the 70-year-old was photographed holding hands with his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, 57, as they strolled down their Paris home’s alley to a swarm of clapping spectators.
He was also accompanied by his sons Pierre, 41, Jean, 39, and Louis, 28, daughter Giulia, 14, and grandchildren as he waved to the audience, according to the site.
People reportedly chanted “Nicolas, Nicolas” and sang the French national song.
Two French flags were alleged to have the words “Courage Nicolas, return soon” and “True France with Nicolas” written on them.
France’s National Police declined to comment following PEOPLE’s request.
Sarkozy was seen hugging his wife before heading into a car in footage shared by the Associated Press. (Carla, an Italian supermodel and singer, was previously accused of concealing evidence related to the Gaddafi case and conspiring with others to commit fraud. (She has disputed both claims.)
Politician Sarkozy, who has maintained his innocence, also issued a statement on social media before entering prison.
According to a translated post on X on Tuesday, Sarkozy wrote, “As I prepare to cross the walls of La Santé prison, my thoughts are with French people of all conditions and perspectives. I want to tell them with all of my strength that the person being detained this morning is not a former President of the Republic, but rather an innocent person.
Sarkozy was seen hugging his wife before heading into a car in footage shared by the Associated Press. (Carla, an Italian supermodel and singer, was previously accused of concealing evidence related to the Gaddafi case and conspiring with others to commit fraud. (She has disputed both claims.)
Politician Sarkozy, who has maintained his innocence, also issued a statement on social media before entering prison.
According to a translated post on X on Tuesday, Sarkozy wrote, “As I prepare to cross the walls of La Santé prison, my thoughts are with French people of all conditions and perspectives. I want to tell them with all of my strength that the person being detained this morning is not a former President of the Republic, but rather an innocent person.
“I will continue to denounce this legal scandal, this path of the cross that I have suffered for more than 10 years,” he said at one point. “I am not looking for any advantage or favor. I’m not to be pitied because my voice carries. I am not to be pitied because my wife and children are by my side, and I have many friends.”
He went on to remark that he felt “deep sorrow for France, which finds itself humiliated by the expression of vengeance that has raised hatred to unprecedented heights.” I have no doubts. The truth will triumph. But the cost will have been terrible.”
He signed the post with his initials.
Sarkozy’s sons also voiced their support for their father on their Instagram accounts.
“The images of this morning are forever etched in his mind, as well as ours,” Louis wrote in French.
He continued, “Our father is an innocent man. A man who poses no threat to anyone. A guy was thrown into an unfathomable and unfair captivity.”
“But a man who nevertheless complied, who followed unfair procedures to the letter, and who today becomes their victim,” he talked about.
Jean also commented on Instagram, “Today, in France, an innocent man will be incarcerated.”
“He presents no flight risk, he has not been definitively tried, and yet he is being thrown in prison,” the prosecutor said.
Sarkozy was convicted last month, as PEOPLE previously reported. According to prior BBC reporting, the ruling means Sarkozy will serve time in jail even if he fights the verdict. He was also forced to pay a €100,000 fine (about $117,000).
According to the BBC, he is currently being held in isolation in the prison to protect him from other detainees who have committed drug or terror charges.
According to the site, Sarkozy’s cell will measure 95 square feet and will include a small TV, toilet, desk, and shower, as well as one hour of free exercise per day.
