These experiences saw Otyrba take an interest in foreign policy, and in 1996, he underwent a course in mediation and human rights monitoring in Austria.
However, the position only lasted for two months before he was replaced by Igor Akhba on 28 July 2004.,[1] and Otyrba has since returned to his prior roles.
In his capacity of acting Foreign Minister, Otyrba headed the Abkhazian delegation to the meeting on repatriation of refugees held 20 July 2004 in Sochi.
[3] Following the adoption of a law constituting a new, independent, Human Rights Commissioner, the old office under the President was abolished and Otyrba was formally dismissed by Raul Khajimba on 4 May 2016.
[4] Otyrba is a native speaker of Abkhaz and Russian, speaks English fluently, and is also competent in Italian.