Russia has charged four men it says attacked a Moscow concert hall and killed at least 137 people.
All four appeared to have been beaten and one was brought to court in a wheelchair. They were charged with committing an act of terrorism.
The Islamic State group, or IS, said it carried out Friday’s outrage at Crocus City Hall and posted video evidence.
Russian officials have claimed, without evidence, Ukrainian involvement. Kyiv says the claim is “absurd”.
The graphic video released by IS, showing attackers firing on the crowd inside the concert hall, has been verified as genuine by the BBC.
However, no Russian official has acknowledged the claim, and Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said in a news conference on Monday that it was inappropriate to comment on it until the investigation had been completed.
He also said that because of the tense international situation there was little collaboration between countries on fighting terrorism.
France has raised its terror alert to the highest level, with President Macron saying on Monday that the Islamic State group behind the Moscow attack had also recently been targeting France.
Mr Macron also warned Russia against trying to exploit the attack to blame Ukraine, describing such a move as cynical and counter-productive.
Rescuers are continuing to search the rubble of the concert hall for victims, and regional officials said the operation would carry on through Tuesday afternoon.
The four suspects were named by Russian authorities as Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, Saidakrami Murodali Rachabalizoda, Shamsidin Fariduni and Muhammadsobir Fayzov.
Video showed three of them being marched bent double by masked police into Basmanny district court in the Russian capital.
All appeared to have been beaten – videos of brutal interrogation sessions were apparently leaked by Russian security forces, and reports suggest at least one had suffered electric shocks.
Asked about the alleged torture, Mr Peskov refused to comment.
The men the court identified as Mirzoyev and Rachabalizoda had black eyes and the latter’s ear was heavily bandaged – reportedly from it being partially severed during his arrest.
Mirzoyev also appeared to have a torn plastic bag wrapped around his neck.
The face of the man identified as Fariduni was badly swollen, while the man named as Fayzov appeared to lose consciousness as he was brought into court in a wheelchair wearing a thin hospital gown.
He appeared to have an eye missing, according to the Reuters news agency.
All were held in a glass-panelled booth and guarded by masked police during their time in court.
A court statement on the Telegram messaging service said Mirzoyev had “admitted his guilt in full”, while Rachabalizoda also “admitted guilt”.
The men were identified as citizens of Tajikistan, Russia’s state news agency, Tass, said.
All four are to be held in pre-trial detention until at least May 22, the court added.
The attack has raised questions about Russia’s moratorium on the death penalty, with several senior officials calling for it to be lifted.
However, Mr Peskov said the Russian authorities “are not taking part in this discussion”. —BBC
