Questione giuridica chiave
Whether the appeal is forfeited when the appellant, abroad and subject to an entry ban, fails to appear at the appellate hearing after waiving a request for dispensation from attendance.
Decisione estratta
Yes. The appeal is forfeited under § 178 StPO even if the appellant cannot enter Switzerland because of an entry ban; it was his duty to seek entry permission and free passage.
Motivazione estratta
In second instance, appearance is not a condition for valid adjudication in the same way as at first instance. The defendant may withdraw or forfeit the appeal by non-appearance. For the appellate court, only the non-appearance matters; the reason is irrelevant. Since dispensation from appearance is granted only upon request, and none was made, the court need not consider a hearing in absentia.