Judgment of the Court (Third Chamber) of 20 January 2022.#ZK.#Reference for a preliminary ruling – Area of freedom, security and justice – Immigration policy – Directive 2003/109/EC – Article 9(1)(c) – Loss of the status of long-term resident third-country national – Absence from the territory of the European Union for a period of 12 consecutive months – Interruption of that period of absence – Irregular and short‑term stays in the territory of the European Union.#Case C-432/20.