Two Top Serbian Convicts Attempt Prison Break

Authorities in Serbia say two high-profile, convicted professional killers have attempted to escape from a high-security prison in Belgrade -- but were stopped by security forces.

One of the prisoners is Sretko Kalinic, who is serving a 30-year sentence for the 2003 assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.

The other, Zeljko Milovanovic, was convicted in Croatia and sentenced to 40 years for the 2008 killing of a prominent journalist.

They are reported to have broken out of their cells early on February 7, attacking a guard and jumping out a window into the prison yard.

Reports quote a statement by prison authorities as saying they were "immediately arrested in the yard and taken back to their cells."

Authorities have stepped up security at the prison and ordered an investigation into the incident.

Compiled from agency reports