TAIPEI (AFP) -- Thousands of protesters rallied in Taipei on Saturday to demand justice for a corporal who died after allegedly being abused in the military, in a case that sparked anger across Taiwan.

Demonstrators, holding placards reading "Murder" and "We want the truth", gathered outside the defence ministry two weeks after Corporal Hung Chung-chiu died of heatstroke apparently caused by being forced to exercise excessively.

Several sang songs mocking the military while others made a show of drinking bottled water - a reference to the fact Cpl Hung's superiors reportedly refused to give him water despite his repeated requests.

"So many people come here today to demand truth," Cpl Hung's uncle, Mr Hu Shih-ho, said. "I hope President Ma Ying-jeou and defence minister Kao Hua-chu will open their eyes to see this and listen to us."

Taiwan's defence ministry has apologised for Cpl Hung's death, and military prosecutors are investigating the cause of his death.

"I apologise to you all," Vice-Defence Minister Andrew Yang told the crowd before bowing briefly to them. "Please give the defence ministry a chance to correct previous mistakes and clarify the truth."

Organisers said more than 10,000 had turned out while police estimates were not immediately available.

Local media reported that Cpl Hung was at odds with his superiors for making complaints against them, and that he had been placed in solitary confinement for taking a smartphone onto the army base. He died just three days before he was due to be discharged following completion of his compulsory year-long military service.

Four military officials have been detained by authorities on abuse charges, while punitive measures have been placed on 26 other staff members.

The island's watchdog responsible for monitoring other parts of government The Control Yuan has announced an in-depth probe into alleged bullying in the military.