Calgary psychiatrist Dr. Aubrey Levin faces 21 charges of sexual assault, based on allegations by patients.Calgary psychiatrist Dr. Aubrey Levin faces 21 charges of sexual assault, based on allegations by patients. CBC

The public and international reporters have been banned from a courtroom for the preliminary hearing for a Calgary psychiatrist.

Dr. Aubrey Levin was charged in 2010 with sexually assaulting 21 male patients.

His preliminary hearing began Wednesday, however Levin's lawyer asked to limit who could be in the courtroom over concerns media from other countries, particularly Levin's former home of South Africa, will not honour the publication ban that commonly covers such hearings.

Only accredited reporters from Canada, victims, family and supporters are allowed into the courtroom.