Judgment of the Court (Third Chamber) of 20 May 2025.#Criminal proceedings against M. S. T.#Request for a preliminary ruling from the Varhoven kasatsionen sad (Bulgaria).#Reference for a preliminary ruling – Area of freedom, security and justice – Judicial cooperation in criminal matters – Directive (EU) 2016/343 – Article 8 – Right to be present at the trial – Information regarding the holding of the trial and the consequences of non-appearance – Inability to locate the accused person notwithstanding reasonable efforts made by the competent authorities – Possibility of a trial and a decision in absentia – Article 9 – Right to a new trial or to another legal remedy which allows a fresh determination of the merits of the case – Judicial proceedings to determine whether a right to a new trial exists – Obligation to act with speed.#Case C-135/25 PPU.