Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived at a Paris prison to begin serving a five-year sentence on Tuesday.

He was convicted of a criminal conspiracy to finance his 2007 election campaign with funds from Libya.

Sarkozy is the first ex-leader of modern France to be imprisoned.

On his way to prison, he said he is an innocent man being locked up in a statement released on social media.

Sarkozy contests both the conviction and the decision to incarcerate him pending appeal.

His journey from the presidential palace to La Santé prison has captivated France.

Hundreds of supporters gathered to show their support as he entered prison.

AP video shot by: Philippe Marion