Media restrictions, involving a ban on video recording and photo coverage from court buildings and courtrooms, were imposed as of August 11.

Parliament approved of the measures and President Saakashvili signed them into law last month.

The law does not ban journalists from attending trials. They will also be able to audio record court hearings, if the judge does not rule otherwise.

The new measures have been slammed by opposition and some advocacy groups as an attempt "to impose censorship."