reporter: nadejda koutepova's life in a cheap, out-of-the-way hotel doesn't make her feel safe in francesian secret service has made life hard for many exiled critics of the government. koutepova is certain she's under surveillance. >> recently one person wrote to me and i think that person works for the security system of russia. so now he tried to cooperate with me, exactly for the reason that they need information on what i plan to do. reporter: she doesn't feel welcome in france, but isn't willing to return to russia, where she would be under threat. >> people tell me that, nadejda, you should be happy because you left your nuclear hell and you are in paris. but you know that the circumstances were not so that i felt happy. of course i miss my urals, i miss my place, and sometimes at night i search in my dreams because it was not my choice. reporter: the european court of human rights in strasbourg has just ruled in her favor and condemned russia for refusing to compensate the maiak victims. koutepova remains a thorn in the side of the russian state, even in exile. michelle: the germ