The lawyers for former French President Nicolas Sarkozy say his imprisonment marks a tragic day for the country’s justice system. They have filed an appeal to release him after the disgraced statesman arrived at La Sante prison in Paris.

Sarkozy was convicted and sentenced last month for conspiring to raise funds from Libya.

It is claimed that his 2007 campaign took millions in cash from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Former France President has left his home for prison, walking hand in hand with his wife Carla Bruni.

Some of his sympathizers came out to support the conservative leader who was President of France between 2007 and 2012.

“If those who ordered the provisional execution of this sentence thought they would break him, break his spirit, break his determination, and force him to bow his head to admit to acts he didn’t commit, then that’s not going to happen.

On the contrary, I think it strengthens his determination, it strengthens his rage to show that he is innocent and to tell everyone and demonstrate his innocence.”

The conviction caps years of legal battles over allegations that Sarkozy’s 2007 campaign received cash from the late Libyan leader Gaddafi.

But the former French leader has denied wrongdoing and called the case politically motivated.

His lawyers say they have filed a request for early release pending his appeal trial. They expect this request to be reviewed in about a month.

Sarkozy’s legal team says they hope to release him before Christmas.