Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy began a five-year prison sentence for conspiring to raise campaign funds from Libya. He is the first former French leader to be imprisoned since Nazi collaborator Marshal Philippe Petain after World War Two.

Shortly after arriving at La Sante prison in Paris, Sarkozy published a message on X (formerly Twitter) claiming his innocence. "I want to tell (French people), with the unshakable strength that is mine, that it is not a former president of the Republic who is being imprisoned this morning — it is an innocent man," he said.

Sarkozy has been convicted of taking millions in cash from Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi for his 2007 presidential campaign. He was, however, acquitted of personally receiving or using the funds. His lawyers said they have filed an appeal and expect an early release for the former president.