Ethiopia arrests TikTok influencers

Ethiopian police have arrested six of the most prominent influencers and content creators on TikTok after they attended a content creators’ awards ceremony at which some appeared in clothing the authorities described as “indecent” and “violating the country’s cultural values.”

Authorities say the detainees are accused of “undermining public morals” after attending the TikTok Creative Award 2025, also known as the Ethiopia Creative Awards, held in Addis Ababa to honor leading digital content creators. The ceremony became the focus of widespread controversy after photos and videos of influencers circulated on local social media platforms.

Among those arrested is the well-known content creator Adonay Berhanu, who is presented as a “motivational and lifestyle influencer” and has nearly four million followers on TikTok. He won the “Influencer of the Year” award at the same event that later became central to the case. Police confirmed that he is under investigation as part of a file related to “inappropriate clothing” and his conduct at the public event.

The arrests also included fashion and lifestyle influencer Wengelawit Gebre Endrias, known as “Evan,” who appeared at the ceremony wearing an oversized jacket, as well as dancer and content creator Yohannes Mekonnen, nicknamed “Jahni,” who was carrying a shoulder bag that conservative groups considered a symbol of “unacceptable fashion.” Other detained influencers include Berket Tesgaye, Mekdem Derje, and Jerome Jazahign.

Local media reports indicate that police have detained a total of nine content creators in recent days. Six of them were directly linked to their clothing and appearance at the ceremony, while others are being investigated over content published on their social media accounts.

None of the detainees have made public statements so far. However, Adonay Berhanu’s mother, Abeba Gebru, expressed her shock at his arrest in an interview with BBC Tigray, describing her son as “the backbone of the family” and “a role model for Ethiopian youth.” She said she fears he may be used as a “scapegoat” in a broader campaign against manifestations of modernity in society.

The case has sparked a heated debate on social media in Ethiopia. Defenders of the influencers argue that the arrests constitute “a blatant assault on freedom of expression and creativity” and an excessive state intrusion into people’s personal choices, particularly in the context of an artistic event aimed at a young audience. By contrast, a conservative camp has defended the move as “a necessary message” to influential figures about respecting cultural norms and “modest” dress in public spaces.

These developments come in a country widely regarded as socially conservative, where authorities have a track record of using laws related to “public morals” and “public order” to pursue behaviors they deem outside accepted norms. Observers say the TikTok influencers’ case reflects a growing clash between a young, digital generation using social media platforms to express new lifestyles and official institutions and community groups that adhere to a narrow reading of cultural and religious identity.

As police continue to investigate the six influencers without formally charging them so far, human rights activists are calling for clarification of the legal basis for the arrests and for their release or referral to court in a transparent manner, stressing that how the case is handled will be a new test of the Ethiopian authorities’ willingness to adapt to a rapidly changing social and media reality shaped by digital platforms.