Al-Askari said al-Taie's remains were handed over as part of an amnesty exchange agreement with Asaib Ahl al-Haq, under which the group will not face criminal prosecution or penalties if it disarms or turns over prisoners.
But Mr al-Askari, who is a member of the Iraqi parliament and adviser to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, told the BBC that Iran had nothing to do with the kidnapping, and that he had never flown to Iran.