A U.S. Army staff sergeant who once served as an interpreter alongside American forces in Afghanistan, later immigrated to the United States, and became part of Savannah’s growing restaurant scene is now facing a general court-martial on allegations that include sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, domestic violence, and perjury.
According to the Army’s court-martial docket, Staff Sgt. Saidajan Denarkhail is charged under Articles 120, 120b, 128b, and 131 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Denarkhail has pleaded not guilty and elected trial by military judge alone. His court-martial is scheduled to begin July 14, 2026, at Hunter Army Airfield.
The military prosecution follows a civilian criminal investigation that began on Aug. 18, 2025, when Savannah police responded to reports of possible domestic violence inside a family home.
Before the allegations surfaced, Denarkhail had become known locally through both his military service and his involvement with The Silk Route, a Savannah restaurant that blended Afghan, Mediterranean, and Asian-inspired cuisine. In June 2025, local television station WJCL featured Denarkhail in a human-interest story highlighting his journey from Afghanistan to the United States.
In the interview, Denarkhail described working alongside American forces as an interpreter before immigrating to the United States, joining the Army, and eventually serving as a Chinook helicopter mechanic at Hunter Army Airfield. He also spoke about bringing his wife and six children to the United States after the collapse of Afghanistan’s government in 2021.
The restaurant itself quickly earned positive reviews and community recognition. Public promotional materials identified entrepreneur Maebelle “Belle” Alolong as a founder of both The Silk Route and Narra Tree, another Savannah restaurant. Alolong was later selected for Savannah’s Launch Savannah business accelerator program and became active in local business and community organizations.
According to a Savannah Police Department report, the investigation that ultimately led to Denarkhail’s arrest began after officers were contacted by Alolong and Psych Canonero, two women police identified as roommates and friends. The report identified Alolong as Denarkhail’s business partner and Canonero as a former girlfriend.
Police wrote that Alolong reported receiving a call from an individual crying and asking for help, saying someone was hurting and killing her. According to the report, Alolong believed the caller was one of Denarkhail’s daughters and that Denarkhail was the person causing the harm.
When officers arrived at the residence, they reported finding multiple family members inside the home. According to the report, one woman holding a child made eye contact with officers and motioned toward a back bedroom where they later located Denarkhail’s daughter.
Police reported that the daughter appeared visibly shaken, afraid, and injured. Officers documented blood and contusions on various parts of her body and described finding broken clothes hangers, what appeared to be blood droplets, and blood spatter inside a bedroom. Investigators also reported recovering a black firearm that had been partially concealed beneath a pillow.
According to the report, the daughter told officers that her father struck her with his hands, a belt, and clothes hangers, dragged her by the hair, and pointed a handgun at her. Police further reported that she described prior incidents of abuse and allegations of inappropriate touching dating back several years.
A Chatham County grand jury later indicted Denarkhail on charges including aggravated assault-family violence, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, false imprisonment, family violence battery, and cruelty to children.
The police report also documents statements from other family members. According to investigators, Denarkhail’s wife and another daughter provided information regarding prior incidents within the household.
The state prosecution ultimately did not proceed to trial. Court records show Denarkhail was transferred from civilian custody into military custody in early 2026. The Chatham County case was later placed on the dead docket pending the outcome of military proceedings.
While the state indictment focused on the events of Aug. 18, 2025, the military prosecution appears substantially broader. According to the Army’s public docket, Denarkhail now faces multiple specifications involving sexual offenses, child sexual abuse, domestic violence, and perjury.
The Army’s public docket lists the charged offenses but provides few details about the underlying allegations. The Salty Soldier has requested court records from the Army’s Office of Special Trial Counsel in an effort to obtain additional information regarding the specific allegations, alleged victims, and timeframe of the offenses.
Denarkhail remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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