MOSCOW, August 1 - RAPSI. The Khamovnichesky District Court in Moscow has restricted the media coverage of the trial against Pussy Riot punk band members accused of disorderly conduct in the Christ the Savior Cathedral, the court press secretary told the Russian Legal Information Agency.

"On-line reports from the courtroom are not allowed to disclose the factual circumstances of a case on which witnesses are testifying," she said.

The press secretary has explained that it is necessary to keep witnesses unaware of what preceding witnesses have said. The procedure forbids witnesses to be in the courtroom prior to interrogation so that their testimony remains unbiased and unaffected by information provided by other witnesses.

She added that journalists are allowed to convey their impressions of the proceedings and their reaction to the group's punk-style prayer, as well as other details.