The lawyers will attend the trial of accused mosque shooter Alexandre Bissonnette to ensure the 'rights of the victims' are respected, mosque vice president Mohamed Labidi told reporters at a Quebec courthouse, while stressing his confidence in the Canadian justice system.

The lawyers will take on an oversight role on behalf of the mosque's congregation and are separate from the prosecutor.

Murder charge

Bissonnette, 27, is accused of six counts of premeditated murder and five charges of attempted murder.

Quebec Court Judge Jean-Louis Lemay agreed to the defense's request to a publication ban which would make the evidence against Bissonnette not immediately publishable.

Evidence at the trial would be public.

Victims

Among the six men killed in the shooting were a butcher, a university professor, a pharmacist and an accountant, according to police and Canadian media.

Source: Reuters