Greek politician and lawyer Afroditi Nestora has described the attack on her home that killed her mother as a highly organised ambush designed to cause fatalities.
Speaking on the Newsroom programme of the state broadcaster ERTnews, Nestora said the assault was a deliberate trap and that those responsible clearly intended to kill people. She added that the night of the attack must never be forgotten or overlooked.
Nestora stood as a parliamentary candidate for the ruling centre-right New Democracy party in the northern city of Thessaloniki during the 2023 national elections. New Democracy, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, secured a second consecutive term in government during that vote. The Thessaloniki A constituency she contested covers the densely populated central urban area of Greece's second-largest city.
Four defendants have been summoned to provide supplementary testimony to an investigating magistrate regarding the attack. Nestora said her primary goal is for the investigation to be fully resolved, adding that she expects imminent developments regarding the indictment and the broader criminal proceedings. The politician confirmed the legal process will continue normally following the request for the additional testimonies.
She also expressed hope that authorities would identify the perpetrators behind two other attacks that she believes are directly connected to the assault on her home.
Addressing her own injuries from the incident, Nestora said her physical recovery will take significant time. She expects to wait up to eighteen months before she knows the permanent impact and lasting damage from the ordeal.
Loss of mother
She described the loss of her mother in the attack as the heaviest blow, adding that it is a tragedy she will never truly overcome.
Asked what she would say to the perpetrators, Nestora questioned how they would feel if a similar attack targeted their own mothers or loved ones. She said society as a whole must unequivocally condemn all terrorist and murderous actions.
The politician said she is determined to return to her professional career and daily routine, describing it as an obligation to her family, her supporters and the memory of her mother.
Nestora also plans to continue her volunteer work, highlighting the RED-Y association which she founded five years ago following the death of her sister. The organisation promotes voluntary bone marrow donation across the country.
RED-Y works alongside the Vision of Hope registry, a prominent Greek non-profit organisation established to help patients with blood diseases. The groups aim to increase the number of domestic bone marrow donors and reduce the country's reliance on overseas transplants, which can delay vital medical treatments.
Political future
Looking ahead to her political career, Nestora confirmed her desire to remain active in public life and represent New Democracy at the ballot box again.
She recently held talks with Mitsotakis at the Maximos Mansion, the official seat of the prime minister in Athens. During the meeting, she thanked him for his support following the attack and offered her candidacy for the next general election.
Nestora said it would be a great honour to run again and contribute to building a Greece with a strong international standing and a clear European trajectory.
Under the Greek electoral system, candidates can run in local constituencies where voters select them individually using a cross of preference. This allows voters to influence exactly which politicians from a party's list enter parliament. Alternatively, candidates can be placed on a national state ballot where the party leadership determines the ranking, and seats are allocated proportionately based on the nationwide vote share.
Asked which route she might take, Nestora deferred the final decision to the prime minister. However, she noted that being elected via a cross of preference carries a special honour because it demonstrates direct trust and selection by the citizens.
She said she is accustomed to fighting for what she wants and claiming things with dignity, noting that nothing is handed out easily. She added that she feels even stronger following the attack and is certain she can use her strength to help create a better country.
Nestora also used the television appearance to express her solidarity with residents of Crete, Greece's largest and most populous island, who are currently dealing with the aftermath of severe weather.
She said the unpredictable nature of tomorrow highlights the crucial importance of social solidarity, describing mutual support as the only way forward for society.
