Ethiopia's former deputy intelligence chief has been arrested as an investigation into allegations of corruption and human rights abuses under the previous administration continues.

The former deputy head of the national security agency, Yared Zerihun, is the latest big fish to be arrested.

He has not yet commented on the allegations.

Since Monday more than 60 officials from the intelligence agencies and a military-run industrial conglomerate have been arrested.

The move has been widely welcomed by human rights groups.

For years Ethiopians lived under oppressive authoritarian rule where no criticism of the government or military was tolerated.

But when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in April he promised to stamp out high-level corruption and human rights abuses.