Abortion is outlawed except in rape cases or for strict medical reasons

The sentence came as part of a trial of 42 women accused of violating Portugal's anti-abortion laws.

Just one of the 17 charged with having an illegal abortion at Ribeiro's home was given a custodial sentence, commuted to a fine, while 15 were cleared and the charges against one were dropped.

Of 25 people tried on charges of belonging to Ribeiro's alleged marketing network - including taxi drivers and local pharmacists - 19 were acquitted and the remaining six had prison sentences commuted to fines.

Among those fined were a doctor and a social worker.

The prosecution, using Ribeiro's diary as evidence, said she had performed more than 100 illegal abortions. It called for a 12-year sentence.

The court said in its verdict: "The court has taken into account that (Ribeiro) did it to help other women."

Abortion is outlawed in Portugal - an overwhelmingly Roman Catholic country - except in rape cases or for strict medical reasons.

The maximum possible sentence for having an abortion is three years in prison.

'Hypocrisy'

The trial - one of the biggest of its kind, held at a sports complex - opened last October, sparking widespread condemnation from women's groups, family planning organisations and left-wing MPs.

Other European countries where abortion is illegal

Ireland: total ban except if a woman is suicidal Poland: abortion allowed only in exceptional circumstances (life-threatening situations, foetal deformation or in case of rape)

Some said it laid bare the hypocrisy that surrounds the abortion issue in the country.

The abortion law, they said, promoted clandestine abortion rings and sent to prison women who had them.

Thousands of women are thought to have illegal abortions in Portugal every year, while many of them travel to Spain for terminations.

But opponents of abortion maintain the law guarantees the fundamental right to life.

An attempt was made more than three years ago to liberalise the law, allowing abortion on demand up to 10 weeks.

But the Socialist prime minister, Antonio Guterres, declined to implement the draft law and opted instead for a referendum, saying he himself would vote no.

There was a narrow majority for keeping the restrictions, but too few people turned out to vote and the referendum was declared invalid.