Michael McFeat apologised for comment about chuchuk, a local delicacy, but too late, as deportation order reportedly made at Karakol city court

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

A British man working at a gold mine in Kyrgyzstan will reportedly be deported after comparing a local delicacy to a horse penis.

Michael McFeat who works for Canadian mining company Centerra Gold, was detained by police after he posted a comment on Facebook that reportedly offended staff at the mine and led to a temporary strike.

In an apology on Facebook, McFeat said: “I would like to take the opportunity to sincerely appologise for the comment I made on here about the kygyz people and horse’s penis. I truly never meant to offened anyone and im truly sorry as it was never my intension. I would also like to say the people in the picture had absolutely nothing to do with it. again im very very sorry [sic].”

But by then it was too late. A judge has ordered McFeat’s deportation, the BBC reported, citing local media. The Foreign Office could not confirm the reports, but said it was investigating.

Kyrgyzstan detains Briton for 'horse penis' delicacy comparison Read more

The US-backed Radio Azattik said the order was made at Karakol city court in north-east Kyrgyzstan.

In his Facebook post on 31 December, McFeat posted a picture of colleagues at the Kumtor gold mine enjoying what he described as a “fantastic Hogmanay feast”.

The post added: “The Kyrgyz people queuing out of the door for there special delicacy the horses penis!!!” The dish McFeat was referring to is a traditional horse sausage known as chuchuk.

Radio Azattik said McFeat’s post had “caused a lot of discontent and resentment on the part of local staff”, who demanded respect for the traditions of the people of Kyrgyzstan, as well as an apology from the mine’s management company.

McFeat was reported to have been arrested at Manas international airport, close to the capital Bishkek, on Sunday. He faced up to five years in prison under Kyrgyzstan’s race hate laws.

Horse meat, including offal, is a popular delicacy in both Kyrgyzstan and neighbouring Kazakhstan, where nomadic traditions have been revived since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The Foreign Office had earlier confirmed it was in contact with the local authorities in Kyrgyzstan after a British national was detained.