The official said Sunday that the closed-door trial that started last week was the first of its kind in Jordan. He said the six men pleaded not guilty but would not provide additional details.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

There is no law that prevents Shias from practicing their religion in Jordan.

But Jordanian officials have expressed concern that the growing influence of Iran and the popularity of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah could encourage some Sunni Jordanians to convert to Shiism.