Legal landmines?

Six years down the line she’s spent over 20.000 euros in legal fees, and still faces the threat of a nine-month jail term.

Only this week, she was due to stand trial in Lagos, for aggravated criminal defamation – a special type of defamation, carrying “more severe sentences” for people found guilty of defaming “certain public officials and lawyers”.

It’s a clause in the Portuguese Criminal Code that Serena Wylde wants all foreigners to be aware of (as she truly thought she was simply making a point to an organisation interested in looking into “customer complaints”).

And it’s a clause that the British organisation Fair Trials International says: “has the effect of placing the legal profession in Portugal above reproach and outside of any effective regulation”

Since locking horns with the system, Ms Wylde, 59, a retired businesswoman, has begun studying for a Masters in law. No matter what happens in her case, she’s determined now to follow and support all types of other cases involving ethics, human rights and politics.

Backed all the way by Fair Trials International, the organisation’s chief executive Jago Russel claims “it beggars belief” that a trial against Serena Wylde is being held at all. “The prosecution flies in the face of free speech”.

The day before Ms Wylde’s trial was due to be held, it was suspended as her Lisbon lawyer presented grounds for questioning the impartiality of the judge. There is a risk that Ms Wylde will be heavily fined if the higher court (in Évora) does not concur with the challenge.

“But it may ironically pave the way for an application to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg,” explains Ms Wylde. “And that is honestly where a case like this should be heard!”

Ms Wylde’s lawyer is already familiar with the European Court of Human Rights, and has had “some success there”. But, given a chance of déjà vu, would she still have written the letter that has led to so much hassle?

“Most certainly! Unless one pursues the ethical path, the world will never change”.

It’s ironic therefore, that with all the issues surrounding this case, Portuguese newspapers have steered clear of the story - and only one regional blogger has championed the cause.