Nine Ethiopian TikTok content creators were detained by Ethiopian police this week for allegedly breaking social norms in a country known for its cultural conservatism.
Six of the people arrested were accused of wearing “indecent attire” during the Ethiopia Creative Awards, an event where TikTok creators were awarded two weeks earlier. 
Who Are The Influencers Arrested?
Adonay Berhane, a 25-year-old motivational and lifestyle influencer was awarded ‘TikToker of the Year’ but faced backlash for wearing an open-necked top.
Two other creators were also arrested for uploading content that the authorities considered unsuitable. They were allegedly involved in a controversial act during a live TikTok session.
Another influencer arrested at the event was Wongelawit Gebre Endrias, also known as Evan, who was arrested for showing his bare chest beneath an oversized blazer jacket.
Yohannes Mekonnen, or Jahnny, who is both a dancer and a content reviewer, was seen at the same event and was arrested for carrying a man-bag.
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On Thursday, Bereket Tsegaye, Mekdim Dereje, and Girum Gezahegn were detained by the police for creating TikTok videos that were deemed to be against “good behaviour and ethics”.
The federal police warned that anybody who violated “the country’s cultural values” or promoted “shallow culture” would face harsher consequences.
Netizens online have stated that these acts violate their right to free speech and stifle creativity, while others claim that influencers have an obligation to follow the cultural standards of Ethiopia, a conservative Christian country.
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