Telegraph

Terrorist camp discovered in Hebron, Wales By Chris Hastings, David Bamber and Susan Bisset (Filed: 04/11/2001)

THE location of a military training camp in Britain used by Muslim extremists suspected of fighting for Osama bin Laden has been discovered by The Telegraph.

The camp known as Yetgoch in Hebron, South Wales, was used to train young Muslims how to use Uzi machine guns before they were sent to fight in Afghanistan.

Yetgoch was previously used as a recording studio by many famous bands, including Black Sabbath and Take That. It operated as a training camp for three years when it was owned by Medina Limited, a company based in Reading.

Scotland Yard detectives believe that the discovery of the camp's location and a list of trainees, is one of the most important breakthroughs in the hunt for Islamic terrorists in this country.

This week detectives are to question a number of individuals connected with running the operation. Recruits have confirmed that weapons training took place in a hangar attached to a six-bedroom farm house. Accommodation was in a converted barn.

It is believed that Frank Etim, who is in prison charged with offences under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, took part in some of the courses run by Trans Global Security International, a company on the site owned by Medina. On one of the courses he was accompanied by two Muslim friends.

Last week, this newspaper revealed that police wanted to question Mark Yates, the owner of Trans Global Security, about his relationship with Mr Etim. Mr Yates, who now runs a military training camp in America, said that he knew Mr Etim but insisted that he never trained him.

Witnesses who attended the courses say that Mr Etim went on at least three of them, although it is not known if he did weapons training there. Mr Etim, 43, a former chef from south London, has denied charges of providing military training for others.

Paul Field, who manages Medina Scurity, confirmed last night that he had met Mr Etim and that he had trained at Yetgoch. He insisted that his firm had provided only the premises for legitimate bodyguard training courses, run by Trans Global Security International.

Shortly after completing training, Mr Etim set up an intelligence agency specialising in "Libya, Iran and Iraq and terror groups".

Meena Khan, from Blackburn, Lancashire, who attended courses as a professional bodyguard, said: "He attended the courses. He was very quiet and kept himself to himself. He said he had worked and trained in Morocco."

A Muslim woman originally from Pakistan acted as a trainer on the camp. Until now the location of the camp has been kept secret. Trans Global Security International refuses to give its exact location on the company website and participants are told not to disclose its whereabouts.

The company website advises potential recruits that the 10-acre training facility is located between Narbeth and Cardigan. The camp is only one of a number of facilities used by Muslim extremists in Wales.

The location in the principality was favoured because of its remotenesss. Detectives are examining the use of legitimate facilities, such as the one operated by Medina, as well as the establishment of make-shift camps.

One senior police officer: said: "There is now no doubt that people from this country are going abroad to fight for the Taliban. We still don't know how many or how they are recruited. This is what the inquiry is focusing on."

The property was recently sold by Medina to a record producer who has no involvement in training Muslim extremists.

Last night Tom Watson, a Labour MP and leading member of the House of Commons home affairs select committee, said anyone who had trained terrorists in Wales must be questioned by Special Branch. The MP said: "It is incredibly worrying that these young hotheads have been given military training - especially with guns - on British soil."

Mr Yates was unavailable for comment

-- Anonymous, November 04, 2001