An Egyptian court on Monday banned the Muslim Brotherhood's activities and ordered its assets confiscated, in a dramatic escalation of a crackdown by the military-backed government on supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi.

The lawsuit against the Muslim Brotherhood that resulted in the ban claimed the group represented "harm to national security" and disrupted "public safety and harmony."

The ruling, which can be appealed, opened the door for authorities to track and halt the Muslim Brotherhood's elaborate network of social services, dealing a blow to programs that helped popularize the group among ordinary Egyptians.

While the court's decision to ban the Muslim Brotherhood's activities restricts its ability to stage antigovernment protests, it does not outlaw the group itself. However, it does put the Muslim Brotherhood's assets under government control until a final ruling on its status is reached.

Egypt's Interior Ministry said it will allow protests to continue as long as they are peaceful, but the Muslim Brotherhood's affiliated groups, like charity organizations, appear to be targeted by the court's decision, said Al Jazeera’s special correspondent in Cairo.

"It certainly seems that they really don't want to inflame the situation," our correspondent said. "They're already being criticized for increased oppression, for not allowing political expression or opposition."

Mustafa Khateeb, a representative for the Freedom and Justice Party, the Muslim Brotherhood's political body, told Al Jazeera that the court's ruling had been anticipated.

"It was an expected ruling, and it is a continuation of what the military coup's leaders are doing now in Egypt against any real opposition, against what they did on July 3," he said. "Now most of the freedoms are banned again."

Egypt's military, supported by mass protests, staged a coup on July 3, removing Morsi from office.