Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has received death threats just one day after beginning his five-year prison sentence for criminal conspiracy at La Santé prison in Paris. A video circulated online appeared to show an inmate verbally threatening Sarkozy as he arrived at the facility. Prosecutors have launched an investigation, questioning three prisoners and seizing two mobile phones believed to be linked to the video. In response to security concerns, authorities have assigned two police officers as permanent bodyguards housed in nearby cells, a move that has drawn criticism from prison unions who say they were not informed. Interior minister Laurent Nunez defended the arrangement, saying Sarkozy’s protection was justified “because of his status” and “a clear threat.” Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, was convicted of taking illegal campaign funds from Libya, a charge he continues to deny as politically motivated. His lawyers have appealed the ruling and are seeking early release before Christmas.