In that case, Ms Reno justified her intervention because children were said to be being abused inside the Branch Davidian compound.

ECONOMIST: The pawns of Fidel

He says he saw the shiny thing embedded in a wall of the chapel in the Branch Davidian compound, where he took refuge with fellow believers.

CNN: The return of Waco

On Tuesday, FBI Director Louis Freeh informed U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno that someone outside the Justice Department should head the investigation into the final assault on the Branch Davidian compound.

CNN: FBI finds additional materials on Waco gas cannisters

Polygamy is illegal in the US, but the authorities have reportedly been reluctant to confront the FLDS for fear of sparking a tragedy similar to the 1993 siege of the Branch Davidian sect in Waco, Texas, which led to the deaths of around 80 members.

BBC: NEWS | Americas | Sex claims hit US polygamy sect