Colombian businesswoman accused of 'killing two girls with poisoned raspberries' appears in court to fight extradition

A businesswoman accused of killing two schoolgirls with poisonous chocolate raspberries has appeared in court as Colombian authorities battle for her extradition.Zulma Guzman Castro, 54, was rescued from the River Thames near Battersea Bridge last December 16, after being named in her homeland as the alleged killer of Ines de Bedout, 14, and 13-year-old Emilia Forero. The two teenagers died days after eating chocolate-covered raspberries laced with deadly thallium in April last year.She allegedly killed the children as an 'act of vengeance' after a secret affair with Ines's father Juan de Bedout.The 21-year-old brother of one of the victims and another teenage girl also ate the berries and were taken to hospital. The case has become a media sensation in Castro's native Colombia and a number of South American correspondents were in attendance for the start of the week-long extradition hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court today. Zulma Guzman Castro, 54, who founded an electric car rental company named Car B, has appeared in court as Colombian authorities battle for her extradition. A bottle of Buxton mineral water drank during an interview with Focus Noticias may have led to her captureDistrict Judge John Zani said: 'Tomorrow both psychiatrists will give evidence and an officer from the NCA (National Crime Agency) will address the court.'Guzman Castro, represented by Joel Smith, KC, is wanted by Bogota on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.Guzman Castro, who appeared on Shark Tank, the Colombian version of Dragons' Den, previously ran car rental company CarB.An Interpol Red Notice to find Guzman Castro was issued in December, after she went on the run.Guzman Castro was discovered to be in Britain after being seen drinking Buxton water in an interview with Colombian TV channel Focus Noticias.She was taken to hospital after being found by police in the Thames with non-life-threatening injuries and was moved to a psychiatric unit.She was arrested on January 6 by officers from the National Crime Agency's National Extradition Unit.Prosecutor Rosemary Davidson earlier said: 'Extradition is requested by the Colombian government on charges of murder and attempted murder.'It is an accusation case where extradition is sought for the purpose of a criminal prosecution.'An agonising social media post was published by Emilia's devastated father Pedro Forero following her death last year.Mr Forero, speaking shortly before it emerged Colombian prosecutors had a suspect for the horror crime, said: 'Fourteen years ago, a life of hopes, joys and dreams began; a life that filled a family, a father and a mother. 'But it wasn't just the joy of someone else's life; it was the beginning of the life of an excellent human being who had dreams, hopes and goals.'As a father, it is incomprehensible to think that someone was capable of taking this away.' Ines de Bedout, 14, and 13-year-old Emilia Forero (pictured) died days after eating the raspberries Pedro Forero paid a heartbreaking tribute to, 13, Emilia Forero, following her death last year The girls were reportedly spending time at a swanky apartment in Bogota, Colombia, with an older brother and another friend after school when they ate the fatal dessert, said to have been laced with the highly dangerous poison.The colourless, odourless and tasteless substance is commonly used in the manufacturing of electronics, optical lenses, semiconductors, alloys and radiation detection equipment.Ines and Emilia are reported to have died four days later, according to Colombian media.In a gut-wrenching message alongside a photo of Emilia as a baby, Forero added: 'Daughter, you will always be the greatest love I could ever feel as a father. 'No girlfriend or wife could ever generate the love I felt when I had you, and I will carry this love with me until the last day of my life.'I love you and will love you for the rest of my life. I miss you. I am sorry I could not protect you from this broken world.'Despite the pain, I am glad to have had you in my life. I hope to have one last hug from you, even if it is only in my dreams.'