MOSCOW, February 5 (RAPSI) – The Moscow Bar Association has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the defense attorney of Svetlana Davydova, the mother of seven children currently charged with treason, Association President Genri Reznik wrote in his blog on Thursday.

According to Reznik, disciplinary proceedings have been brought against Andrei Stebenyov, Davydova’s court-appointed lawyer, for misperformance of duties.

Reznik’s colleagues will question Stebenyov about his failure to make a claim within the time limited by law, neglect to complain about his client’s arrest, comments made to the media and his stance on the case.

On February 1, Davydova dismissed her court-appointed lawyer, whose performance has been sharply criticized by the public. On Thursday, the Lefortovsky District Court in Moscow granted an appeal by Davydova’s new defense team for an extension of the limitation period.

Last April, Davydova called the Ukrainian embassy last spring to report that the military unit in her neighborhood in Vyazma, Smolensk Region, “seems to be empty.” The woman also suggested that the soldiers might have been sent to Donetsk. She did so after overhearing a serviceman's telephone conversation on a shuttle bus.

On January 29, the Lefortovsky Court issued an arrest warrant for Davydova. She was put under arrest until March 19. She may face up to 20 years in prison.  On February 3, Davydova was released by decision of the investigator in the high-profile case.

Svetlana Davydova and her husband, Anatoly Gorlov, have four children, including a two-month-old baby. Gorlov’s three children with his first wife and Davydova’s sister also live with the family.