The Muslim Brotherhood loses its propaganda arm.

CAIRO (AP) — An Egyptian court on Tuesday ordered Al-Jazeera’s local affiliate to stop broadcasting along with three other stations known for their coverage of Islamist protests, saying that they had operated illegally, the state news agency said.

The decision by the administrative court was expected amid an escalating campaign by the government against the TV station and other media it considers sympathetic to ousted President Mohammed Morsi, who hails from the Muslim Brotherhood group. Al-Jazeera officials were not immediately available for comment.

Last week, three government ministries issued a statement calling the broadcasts of Al-Jazeera Mubasher Misr a “national threat” and accusing it of spreading rumors. They said that the station would soon be ordered closed.

The station extensively covered Brotherhood protests following the July 3 military coup that ousted Morsi after millions took to the streets demanding he step down. In recent weeks, it began broadcasting recorded messages from Brotherhood members who are wanted by authorities and are hiding.

Egyptian officials and media say the station is biased toward the Brotherhood, a charge Al-Jazeera denies.