Answer
Anwar al-Awlaki, a radical Yemeni-American cleric, denied any involvement in ordering the attempted bombing carried out by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab on Christmas Day in 2009. Despite being under surveillance by US intelligence agencies, Awlaki vehemently denied having any prior knowledge of or participation in the planning or execution of the attack. He publicly denounced the attempted bombing and asserted his innocence, distancing himself from the actions of Abdulmutallab.