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Iranian authorities on Thursday arrested four staff members of state TV, accusing them of insulting the first caliph of Sunni Muslims and close ally of the Prophet Muhammad, state TV reported.
Earlier in the day, state TV issued an apology and said eight staff members were dismissed following a Wednesday program that allegedly insulted Abu Bakr, the first caliph, who ruled from 632 until 634 after the death of Muhammad and was also his father-in-law.
In the program a guest allegedly described Abu Bakr as "cursed and snide," claiming to curse the caliph during daily prayers.