Zhytomyr Lasoshchi JSC Issues the Following Statement:

Within the framework of criminal proceedings initiated in 2014, jurisdiction over which was later assigned to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, on February 13, 2024, the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine partially granted the investigators’ motion and applied a preventive measure in the form of detention to Serhii Tyshchenko, Chairman of the Company’s Supervisory Board, setting the term of detention until April 11, 2024. The High Anti-Corruption Court also set bail, upon payment of which Serhii Tyshchenko would be released from custody. Reporting on this on its Facebook page, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office noted that, under Article 62(1) of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and may not be subjected to criminal punishment until guilt has been proven through lawful procedure and established by a guilty verdict of a court. Therefore, in the absence of a final court judgment in these criminal proceedings concerning Serhii Tyshchenko, any assertion of his involvement in the events under pre-trial investigation or of his guilt is unfounded and unsupported by admissible evidence. According to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, the criminal proceedings concern the sale of petroleum products imported into Ukraine in violation of the law, which were seized by a court in 2014 and later authorized for sale. Accordingly, the events under pre-trial investigation in the proceedings initiated in 2014 are unrelated to the operations of the Zhytomyr confectionery factory, including Zhytomyr Lasoshchi JSC, Zhytomyr Lasoshchi Trading House LLC and TIS-Company LLC. The reputation of these companies remains unquestioned. Serhii Tyshchenko served as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Zhytomyr Lasoshchi JSC but is not an owner or beneficiary of these companies. We also note that Serhii Tyshchenko conscientiously performed his duties and actively participated in the management of the Company alongside other executives. His contribution to the Company’s operations has been substantial and significantly supported the enterprise during these difficult times. Without exaggeration, Serhii Tyshchenko’s management abilities helped the Company adapt its operations to the legal regime of wartime and preserve both production and the workforce. The Company hopes that Serhii Tyshchenko will be given the opportunity to prove his innocence of any alleged wrongdoing in accordance with the procedure established by law before an open and impartial court, after which Mr. Tyshchenko will return to work in the near future. Interference in the activities of operating enterprises that pay taxes and wages to many families and contribute to the state is unacceptable in a state governed by the rule of law, especially during a full-scale military invasion. The entire team of Zhytomyr Lasoshchi JSC expresses its support for Serhii Tyshchenko. Respectfully, the Administration of Zhytomyr Lasoshchi JSC.