March 29 (UPI) — Reporters Without Border has denounced Russian authorities for arresting six journalists on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the arrest of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who stays in captivity.

“Just days after Vladimir Putin’s bogus reelection as president on 17 March, Russia continues its transformation into a ‘black hole’ for news and information in which Kremlin propaganda reigns supreme,” RSF stated in a press release Friday.

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The arrests occurred on Wednesday and Thursday.

“What with six new arrests in the span of a few hours, accompanied by violence, threats and searches, the authorities are stepping up their persecution of the last independent journalists and media in Russia,” stated Jeanne Cavelier, head of RSF’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk. “RSF condemns the arbitrary arrests and unacceptable violence against these journalists.”

One of the journalists, Antonina Favorskaya, was arrested after being launched from custody the place she had been held for 10 days for “disobeying the police.”

Two of Favorskaya’s colleagues, Alexandra Astakhova and Anastasia Musatova, who had been detained and questioned once they got here to fulfill her.

Both had been ultimately launched however authorities seized gear from their houses.

Favorskaya, who works for the outlet SOTA Vision, had lined the work of deceased opposition politician Alexei Navalny and was accused of “extremist activities” in consequence.

Two journalists had been arrested whereas masking the raid on Favorskaya’s dwelling, Ekateria Anikievich, of SOTA Vision, and Konstantin Zharov, of RusNews.

RusNews journalist Olga Komelva, who additionally lined tales associated to Alexei Navalny, was arrested Wednesday and accused of “extremism.”

“The charges must be dropped, and the two journalists still detained must be released,” Cavelier stated.

U.S. President Joe Biden stated Friday that his administration is working to win Gershkovich’s launch.

“Journalism is not a crime and Evan went to Russia to do his job as a reporter,” Biden stated in a press launch Friday.