Another alleged terror plot involving sensational sounding Red Mercury has come to a fizzle.

Three suspects in London have been freed today after the trial.

The culprit here is not the security apparatus of governments trying to boost their image and lobby for more budget, nor is it politicians trying to instill a sense of fear in the public.

This time it is yellow journalism in the form of News of The World, a tabloid, and its 'investigations reporter" called Mazher Mahmood, known as the "fake sheikh".

The funniest part is that red mercury is a mythical substance. Perhaps in the Middle East, this is the mythical Red Sulphur (Al Kibrit Al Ahmar) الكبريت الاحمر mentioned in the Arabian Nights and other fables, and given as a nickname to alchemists and mystical sages such as Ibn Arabi محيي الدين بن عربي.

Also see Wikipedia's take on Red Mercury.