Jordan tries 6 Shias for 'promoting Shi'ism'

Jordan has held the first trial of six Shia Muslims accused of promoting their ideology before a military court in the Sunni majority country.

A Jordanian judicial official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said six Shia Muslims were put on trial before a military court, an AP report said.

He said the six men pleaded not guilty but did not provide further details on the subject. Promoting Shia ideology and religious sectarianism Jordan are among the accusations recognized by the court.

According to the officials, the closed-door trial that started last week was the first of its kind in Jordan. Jordan has not recognized any law that prevents Shia Muslims from practicing their religion.

But Jordanian officials have expressed concern that the growing influence of Iran and the popularity of the Lebanese Hezbollah movement for its firm resistance against Israel could encourage some Sunni Jordanians to convert to Shiism.

Jordanian security forces find people converting from Sunni to Shia Islam guilty and try them in military courts.