Serbia: 5 guards jailed over failed prison break

Authorities say five prison guards have been detained on suspicion of helping two dangerous inmates, including one who was involved in the assassination of the prime minister, organize an attempted escape that was thwarted by police.

Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said Wednesday police are also investigating whether Sretko Kalinic and Zeljko Milovanovic — both serving long terms for murder — had help from outside the prison.

The two early on Tuesday cut through cell bars, overpowered the guard and jumped out of the window into the prison yard, where they were caught by special police.

Kalinic is serving a 30-year-old sentence for his role in the assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, while Milovanovic was sentenced in Croatia to 40 years in jail for killing a prominent journalist.

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