Ethiopian police have arrested a sixth high-profile social media influencer, intensifying a growing controversy over alleged “indecent” dressing at a public awards ceremony in Addis Ababa.
The latest to be taken into custody is 25-year-old Adonay Berhane, a lifestyle and motivational TikTok creator with nearly four million followers.
Berhane, who was crowned TikToker of the Year at the Ethiopia Creative Award 2025, was detained on Wednesday, with police saying he is now under investigation.
ALSO READ: ZRP Hunt Trainee Manager Over US$36,000 Fraud Case
His arrest follows the detention of five other creators who attended the same event, including fashion and lifestyle influencer Wongelawit Gebre Endrias, widely known as Evan, who attended braless beneath an oversized blazer.
Police also arrested Yohannes “Jahnny” Mekonnen, a dancer and content reviewer who sported a man-bag and won an award for video production.
Bereket Tsegaye, Mekdim Dereje and Girum Gezahegn complete the list of detainees.
The arrests have sparked intense debate across Ethiopian social media.
Critics say the detentions violate freedom of expression and are part of a broader attempt to police young people’s appearance.
Supporters of the crackdown argue that influencers hold public influence and should respect cultural and moral expectations.
None of the six have commented publicly.
However, Adonay’s mother, Abeba Gebru, told BBC Tigrinya she was shocked, describing her son as her “backbone” and “an example to Ethiopian youth.”
Police maintain the group is suspected of promoting behaviour “undermining public morality,” warning they will take further action against content creators who “violate cultural values” or promote what they termed “shallow culture.”
With Ethiopia’s online population now exceeding eight million, the incident underscores rising tensions between a digitally empowered youth culture and the country’s deeply rooted conservative traditions.
