Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday entered prison to begin a five-year sentence for conspiring to secure illegal campaign funds from Libya for his 2007 presidential run.

The former conservative leader, who governed France from 2007 to 2012,  becomes the first former French leader to be imprisoned since Nazi collaborator Marshal Philippe Petain after World War II.

Sarkozy was driven away under police escort to La Sante prison in the French capital. The 70-year-old had earlier walked hand in hand outside his home with wife Carla Bruni as supporters gathered outside, chanting "Nicolas, Nicolas," and singing the French national anthem. Sarkozy's sons, daughter and grandchildren were also present to say goodbye.

What has Sarkozy said about going to prison?

While on his way to jail, Sarkozy released a social media statement saying he would continue to denounce "this judicial scandal."

"As I am about to cross the gates of La Sante prison, my thoughts go to the French women and men of all backgrounds and all opinions," he said. "I want to tell them with the unshakeable 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 his conviction came after a long investigation based on "a document, the falsification of which has now been established."

A Paris judge ruled that Sarkozy must begin serving his prison sentence without waiting for his appeal to be heard, citing "the seriousness of the disruption to public order caused by the offense."

Under the decision, Sarkozy can only request release from the appeals court after entering prison, with judges given up to two months to review the motion.

Sarkozy's lawyers said a request for release would be filed very quickly.

What can Sarkozy expect in prison?

Sarkozy is likely to be held in the isolation unit of La Sante prison in central Paris, where inmates are housed in single cells and kept apart during outdoor activities for security reasons.

The setup is aimed at preventing contact with other prisoners or the risk of photographs being taken with smuggled mobile phones.

The cells in the unit measure around nine to 12 square meters (95 to 130 square feet). Prisoners in solitary confinement are allowed one daily walk alone in a small yard and can receive visitors three times a week.

Following renovations, cells at La Sante now include private showers. Sarkozy will also have access to a television for a monthly fee of 14 euros ($16) and a landline telephone.

He told France's Le Figaro newspaper he planned to take three books for his first week behind bars, including Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo — the tale of a man unjustly imprisoned who seeks revenge on those who betrayed him.

Sarkozy can apply for conditional release immediately after beginning his prison sentence because he is 70 years old. Under French law, inmates aged 70 and older are eligible to serve their sentences outside prison under specific conditions, such as electronic monitoring or supervised residence.

Edited by: Elizabeth Schumacher