Members of the Sochi branch of the Russian Geographical Society at work in their headquarters in Sochi, Russia. The Russian Geographical Society is Russia's oldest and one of its most respected scientific societies, founded in 1845. The Sochi branch has historically been one of its most active divisions, with members frequently publicizing information about the potential environmental impacts of construction of Olympic venues and infrastructure and risks of landslides due to Olympic construction. The Society's new leadership, which includes senior government officials, has threatened to strip its branch offices, including the Sochi branch, of independent legal status. Such a move could threaten the branch offices' ability to speak out on environmental issues of public concern.

© 2012 Brent Stirton/Reportage by Getty Images for Human Rights Watch