Ethiopian Police Arrest Nine TikTok Creators Over Alleged Cultural Violations

Ethiopian Police Arrest Nine TikTok Creators Over Alleged Cultural Violations

Ethiopian police have arrested nine TikTok content creators over alleged violations of cultural and moral norms, igniting a national debate on freedom of expression and the preservation of traditional values.

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According to authorities, six of the individuals were detained for what was described as “indecent attire” during the Ethiopia Creative Awards held on 2025. Among those arrested were Adonay Berhane, who reportedly wore a shirt exposing part of his chest, and Wongelawit Gebre Endrias, who appeared at the event without a bra under a blazer.

The remaining three content creators were arrested over content deemed inappropriate on TikTok. Police said two of them engaged in an act considered indecent during a livestream of the awards ceremony, prompting immediate intervention.

The arrests have triggered widespread reactions on social media, with critics accusing authorities of suppressing creativity and free expression, particularly among young people who use digital platforms as outlets for art and self-expression. Others, however, have defended the police action, arguing that public events and online spaces should respect Ethiopia’s conservative cultural and social values.

As discussions continue, the incident has brought renewed attention to the growing tension between modern digital culture and long-standing traditions in Ethiopia, raising questions about where the line should be drawn between personal expression and cultural sensitivity.

Ethiopian Police Arrest Nine TikTok Creators Over Alleged Cultural Violations