Sanaa, Yemen (CNN) -- Yemeni prosecutors Tuesday accused an American-born militant cleric, Anwar al-Awlaki, with incitement to kill foreigners, a legal action that reflects the government's newfound resolve to hunt down the notorious al Qaeda figure.
Linked by U.S. authorities to Fort Hood shooting suspect Maj. Nidal Hasan and the suspect accused in the Christmas Day airline bombing attempt, al-Awlaki was charged in absentia at a court hearing in Sanaa.
Two other suspected militants were charged Tuesday: Hisham Mohammed Asim, 19, of Taiz was charged with al Qaeda links and last month killing a French national who worked for an Austrian oil and gas company in Yemen. He denied all the charges.
Also charged in absentia was Othman al-Awlaki, Anwar al-Awlaki's cousin, who is also charged with inciting violence against foreigners.
Investigators have not announced a link between Anwar al-Awlaki and the recent U.S. bomb plot tied to militants in Yemen. However, prosecutors said he encouraged Asim to kill foreigners.
The next court hearing will be Saturday, and Judge Muhsan Alwan told the lawyer for the al-Awlakis that he was responsible for bringing them to court.
CNN
