"The State of Israel is executing a man today on the basis of impressions, without real time testimony, without evidence," Katsav told reporters as he left his home to make his way to prison. "One day, consciences will prick and you will see that you buried a man alive."

These are the words of former Israeli president Moshe Katsav  as he arrived at Maasiyahu prison near Tel Aviv on Tuesday to being a seven-year jail term for rape. 

Katsav, 66, was convicted of raping a former aide in December last year, but remained free while appealing the decision.

His sentence was upheld by the Israeli Supreme Court in November.

"Moshe Katsav will go to jail as planned and will receive the same conditions as other prisoners," Israel's minister for internal security, Yitzhak Aharonovich, told Israel Radio.

The former president has reportedly been placed on suicide watch and his lawyers have said they are concerned about his state of mind, according to The Jerusalem Post.

He is the first former Israeli head of state to be jailed.

Katsav resigned from the largely ceremonial post of Israeli president in 2007 amid allegations that he had raped a former presidential aide and sexually harassed two other female employees while in office.

Former Israeli president Moshe Katsav is hugged by his son before entering Maasiyahu prison in the city of Ramle, near Tel Aviv.

Former Israeli president Moshe Katsav is escorted by police as he leaves him home in Qiryat Malahi, east of Ashdod, before entering Maasiyahu prison.

Former Israeli president Moshe Katsav stands with his son before entering Maasiyahu prison in Ramle, near Tel Aviv.

Former Israeli president Moshe Katsav is surrounded by members of the media as he leaves his home in Qiryat Malahi, east of Ashdod, before entering Maasiyahu prison.

Former Israeli president Moshe Katsav enters the courtroom for the reading of his verdict at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on 10 November, 2011.

Former Israeli president Moshe Katsav stands in the courtroom before the reading of his verdict at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on 10 November, 2011.

Former Israeli president Moshe Katsav speaks to a supporter before the reading of his verdict at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on 10 November, 2011.

Moshe Katsav, as Israeli president, speaks during the opening ceremony of the Holocaust Memorial Center in Budapest on 15 April, 2004.