Lawyer says Saddam aides executed -CNN

BAGHDAD, Jan 15 (Reuters) A lawyer for one of Saddam Hussein's co-defendants said he and another condemned aide were hanged today, although there was no official confirmation.

Badia Aref told CNN the son of his client, Awad al-Bander, had told him that U.S. officials had informed him that both the former judge and Saddam's half-brother, Barzan al-Tikriti, had been executed.

A senior prosecutor, Munkith al-Faroon, denied telling media that the executions had taken place. Other senior Iraqi and U.S.

officials were not available for comment.

REUTERS SY HT1050