The FBI is moving in on the last four members of the Oregon 'militia'

(Reuters) - The FBI on Wednesday evening moved in on the last four occupiers at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, the Oregonian newspaper reported.

The four armed, anti-government protesters had been indicted last week with 12 others on charges of conspiring to impede federal officers during an armed standoff at the compound.

The takeover at Malheur started on Jan. 2 when their leader, Ammon Bundy, and followers, seized buildings at the refuge in a protest against federal control over millions of acres public land in the West.

The four "militia" members still at the encampment include David Fry, Jeff Banta, and Sean and Sandy Anderson. 

According to an FBI statement, one of the "militia" members rode an ATV outside the encampment this afternoon, at which point, the FBI agents tried to approach the driver, who drove quickly back to the camp. The FBI agents then moved into position around the encampment.

"It has never been the FBI's desire to engage these armed occupiers in any way other than through dialogue, and to that end, the FBI has negotiated with patience and restraint in an effort to resolve the situation peacefully. However, we reached a point where it became necessary to take action in a way that best ensured the safety of those on the refuge, the law enforcement officers who are on scene, and the people of Harney County who live and work in this area," Greg Bretzing, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon, said in a statement.

The occupiers have been in frequent contact with FBI negotiators but, as of yet, there has not been a resolution.

 

 

(Reporting by Mary Wisniewski in Chicago; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)