In Europe just attending matters .Running away implies you are guilty.When you turn up you are giving your side of the story.No matter how good your lawyer is they cant answer some things for you.
you just reminded me there of the case of wazekwa,he was meant to serve 5 years of prison,influenced by the fact he was not replying to letters inviting him to court since he used to move houses a lot and change adress
when he came to brussels and went to court and proved he was not running away he got away with a fine of 60K and suspended prison
here the case is much more serious hopefully for koffi judges do not focus much on the "impression of running away"