Ethiopia Arrests TikTok Stars for Indecent Dressing
Ethiopian police have arrested a sixth TikTok creator, Adonay Berhane, amid a crackdown on influencers accused of wearing “indecent attire” at a recent public event.
Berhane, 25, a popular lifestyle and motivational content creator with nearly four million followers, was named “TikToker of the Year” at the 2025 TikTok Creative Awards – the very ceremony now under scrutiny. Police announced on Wednesday evening that he is being investigated.
The arrests have sparked a heated debate on Ethiopian social media. While some argue the detentions are a violation of freedom of expression and stifle creativity, others defend the police action, asserting the need for public figures to respect cultural norms.
Among those previously detained were Wongelawit Gebre Endrias, known as Evan, who gained attention for going braless under a blazer at the event, and Yohannes Mekonnen, or Jahnny, a dancer and video production award winner who sported a man-bag. Berhane was reportedly pictured wearing an open-necked shirt.
Bereket Tsegaye, Mekdim Dereje, and Girum Gezahegn were also taken into custody. None of the six influencers have yet to publicly comment on their arrest or treatment.
Abeba Gebru, Adonay Berhane’s mother, expressed shock at the news, telling BBC Tigrinya that her son is her “backbone” and “an example to Ethiopian youth.”
Interestingly, Adonay spent his teenage years in Canada before returning to Ethiopia. A significant portion of his TikTok content focuses on the challenges of immigration, encouraging his followers to build their lives and careers within their homeland.
The Ethiopian government has not yet issued a statement. However, police indicated the detainees are suspected of promoting behaviour that undermines public morality, citing concerns about the influence of online trends on young Ethiopians.
With over eight million social media users in Ethiopia, this incident underscores the growing tension between the country’s evolving digital culture and its deeply rooted traditional values. Federal police have warned that further action will be taken against anyone found to be “violating the country’s cultural values” or promoting what they deem “shallow culture.”
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
