Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has commenced a five-year prison sentence today after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy related to the financing of his 2007 presidential campaign through funds from Libya. Sarkozy, 70, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, becomes the first former head of state in modern French legal history to actually serve a prison term. Sarkozy arrived at La Santé prison in Paris, where he is expected to be held in isolation for security reasons. He maintains that his prosecution is politically motivated and denies any wrongdoing. Sarkozy has indicated his intention to appeal the verdict, but the judge has ruled that imprisonment will proceed despite the appeal. This conviction sends a clear message: even high-ranking politicians are not above the law.