If an accused who has been duly summoned fails to appear before the court of first instance, the court shall fix a new hearing and summon the person again or arrange for him or her to be brought before the court. It shall take evidence where this cannot be delayed.
If the accused fails to appear for the re-arranged trial or if it is not possible to bring him or her before the court, the trial may be held in the absence of the accused. The court may also suspend the proceedings.
If the accused is suffering from a voluntarily induced unfitness to plead or if he or she refuses to be brought from detention to the trial, the court may conduct proceedings immediately in absentia.
Proceedings in absentia may only be held if:
the accused has previously had adequate opportunity in the proceedings to comment on the offences of which he or she is accused
sufficient evidence is available to reach a judgment without the presence of the accused.