320. The Appeals Chamber recalls that a position of authority does not in and of itself attract a harsher sentence.[1] Further, in the context of a conviction under Article 7(3) of the Statute, use of the superior’s position of authority as an aggravating circumstance would be inappropriate since it is itself an element of criminal liability.[2] Nor would a high level of authority, to echo the Prosecution’s distinction, necessarily attract greater responsibility were it to be considered. Rather, it is the superior’s abuse of that level of authority which could be taken into consideration at sentencing.[3] […].

321. In any event, the principle of graduation upon which the Prosecution relies is not absolute. Indeed, the ICTR Appeals Chamber in Musema qualified its statement that sentences should be graduated by noting that this principle “is, however, always subject to the proviso that the gravity of the offence is the primary consideration for a Trial Chamber in imposing sentence”.[4] The Prosecution’s contention that Hadžihasanović must receive a harsher sentence based on his high level of authority is not substantiated by the practice of the International Tribunal.