The Satanic Temple of Iowa was allowed to display a statue of their cloven-hoof idol Baphomet in the state’s Capitol building alongside more typical Christmas decorations.

Before the vandalism, the Temple publicly thanked state authorities “for holding fast to the principle of religious freedom and ensuring all religions have an equal opportunity to celebrate the holidays together in our beautiful Capitol”.

By Thursday morning, however, the Temple had been informed that the statue had been “destroyed beyond repair”.

A 35-year-old man was subsequently arrested and charged with criminal mischief, KCCI News reports. He has been released pending trial.