Heide Fittku-Garthe has been charged with attempted murder, inducement to suicide and belonging to an illegal organisation. The charges followed a raid on her house in the capital of Tenerife, where the police say Fittku-Garthe was preparing to lead 32 of her followers in a collective suicide attempt.

The appeal comes just days after 19 people belonging to the same group involved in the first suicide attempt were detained by Spanish police following a tip-off that they were planning a second one. Experts are currently analysing food and liquid found at Fittku-Garthe's house which the authorities say could contain poison.

They're also investing documents found on the psychologist's property. One of the documents, a letter written by Fittku-Garthe, and reproduced in a local paper, quotes the psychologist telling her followers that they have to plan their final days together in a ceremony that will have worldwide repercussions.