After his ouster from the Kodori valley, Kvitsiani eventually fled to North Caucasus Russia, from where he issued threats of guerrilla warfare to the Georgian government. Later caught by Russian special services he managed to escape after reportedly being tortured. He remained wanted by Georgia for charges related to the formation of an illegal armed group and an armed mutiny. His sister, Nora Kvitsiani, was arrested on similar charges and sentenced 6.5 years in prison, but she was released after the change of government in Georgia in October 2012.